New plans have been announced to shake up the way cervical cancer risk is detected in England: at-home HPV testing kits are set to be offered to women who have missed their cervical smear test appointments. As of early next year, those who have never been screened will be prioritised to receive a test, followed by those who are six months or more overdue.
Currently, more than 30% of those invited for the potentially life-saving test don’t take up the NHS invite – it’s thought reasons range from embarrassment to accessibility issues to difficulty finding the time during the working day.
Cervical screening appointments (also known as smear tests) are typically offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64, every three to five years depending on your age and where you live.
While the new at-home HPV testing kits will not be exactly the same as getting an in-person smear test which is carried out by a professional (and offers more precise results), leading cancer charities are supportive and say they hope having a DIY option will encourage under-screened women to check in on their health and take action to prevent their cervical cancer risk.
How will at-home cervical cancer screening kits work?
The kits will (like a smear test) still screen for HPV, the common viral infection linked to 99.7% of all cervical cancers, but won’t check for cell changes like a traditional cervical screening. However, it’s important to note that this certainly doesn’t mean 99.7% of people with HPV will get cancer – in fact, the overwhelming majority of people with HPV will not experience any health consequences because of it.
In many cases, the body’s immune system will clear out an HPV infection by itself.
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On average, only 13 in 100 people who go for a screening have high-risk HPV, and even less still will have cell changes. These pre-cancerous cells are easily treatable in the majority of cases, and will not lead to a cancer diagnosis later on.
If the self-swab kits do detect that HPV is present, the patient will then be invited in for a traditional screening to check for any cell changes.
Kits will arrive with a pre-paid returns label and in discreet packaging, and will be easy to do yourself.
“We welcome the UK government’s decision to roll out cervical cancer home screening kits in England – to help remove barriers and make cervical screening more accessible,” said Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK. “The gold standard way to test for HPV is still a sample taken by a clinician and this will be suitable for most people. But beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, and this move helps to bring us closer to that goal.”
Mitchell adds it’s important to remember that “cervical screening is for people without symptoms so, if you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation - speak to your doctor."
Symptoms of cervical cancer can include:
- Pain or bleeding during or after sex
- Unusual discharge
- Lower back pain, pelvis pain or lower stomach pain
The Department of Health and Social Care said the kits are part of the government’s 10-year health service transformation plan and mark a pivot from an overall ethos of prevention over cure.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the “self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people's lives, not the other way around. They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages”.
Speaking about how they could contribute to a wider goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2040, Athena Lamnisos, CEO of the Eve Appeal, the leading gynaecological cancers charity, said the kits are a positive move and “another option in taking that first step in the cervical screening pathway of finding out if a person has high-risk HPV”.
Lamnisos described “being able to do a HPV test in your own time, in the privacy of your own home, and following simple instructions” as a gamechanger.
“Ensuring that the under-screened and never screened know about this new test is vital, and if they have high-risk HPV, that they have the tailored support and information they need to go for that next step, their cervical screening test,” she added.
Dr Anita Lim – who led the initial YouScreen trial, of which the evidence was used to inform the national rollout of this programme – said the home tests couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. “Screening participation rates have been falling in England for over 20 years, and we know screening works and plays a crucial role in protecting women from cervical cancer.”
She added, “Self-sampling is very accurate. The important thing for people to know is that if HPV is not found on your self-sample (and this is the result most women will have), it is just as reassuring as a normal standard screen.
“However, if HPV is detected it is only a preliminary indicator – you will need to go to your GP for a standard screen. If that screen is negative no further action will be needed.”
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
