Women in England who have consistently missed their cervical screening appointments will soon be offered the option of performing DIY tests at home, in a significant move aimed at boosting uptake and preventing cervical cancer cases.
The self-administered tests are designed to detect the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer diagnoses.
This initiative comes as many women cite a lack of time, discomfort, or embarrassment as reasons for not attending traditional NHS cervical screening appointments, previously known as smear tests.
Following approval from the UK National Screening Committee in March, NHS England is set to roll out the home testing kits to specific groups of women, with the programme expected to commence in January next year.
Currently, the NHS offers cervical screening to all women aged 25-64 every three years.
It is hoped that by providing a more accessible and private alternative, the new DIY tests will encourage greater participation in screening, ultimately leading to earlier detection and a reduction in cervical cancer rates.
Data published by the NHS last November showed five million women are not up to date with routine check-ups.
Now officials have said that at-home kits will be offered to women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening.
The initiative will see women sent a self-sampling kit in the post which can be returned via pre-paid mail.
People who were found to have the HPV virus will be encouraged to attend an in-person appointment with a clinician.
Research has suggested that offering DIY testing kits could boost uptake.
The YouScreen trial, which was led by King’s College London in partnership with NHS England, found that offering self-sampling kits to “under-screened” women when they attend their GP practice and by posting kits to women’s homes could boost uptake in England by about 400,000 each year.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the new approach could potentially save about 5,000 lives a year across England.
It said that the new programme “specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments” including: younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBT plus people.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “These 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.
“Our 10-year health plan will fundamentally reform the NHS, shifting focus from treating illness to preventing it before it starts.
“We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival.
“By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”
Dr Anita Lim, chief investigator of the YouScreen trial from King’s College London, added: “This is a significant step forward for cervical cancer prevention and brings us closer to the NHS goal of eliminating the disease by 2040.
“The YouScreen trial, which provided self-sampling HPV kits to under-screen women in London, demonstrated that self-sampling could reach people who find it difficult to attend traditional screening – including those from diverse and underserved populations.
“It’s hugely positive to see this now reflected in national policy, helping more people get protected from this highly preventable cancer.”
Michelle Kane, NHS England’s director of screening, added: “There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them.
“I’d encourage anyone who gets an invite for a cervical screening, either from their local GP practice or the NHS App, to attend and if you have any worrying symptoms, please contact your GP. It could save your life.”
