MILLIONS of women in the UK will now have easy access to cervical cancer screening as the NHS rolls out new at home testing kits.
The new scheme, which will provide free testing kits to women who have missed cervical cancer screening appointments at their local health centres, comes as concerns that only two-thirds of women attend these in person tests when invited.
Currently, all people with a cervix in the UK are offered an in-person test for human papillomavirus (HPV) on the NHS every five years between the ages of 25 and 65. However, is it estimated that around 4 million women are not up to date with their screenings.
Now, women who have not attended their appointments will be eligible to order a free at-home self-test kit through the NHS app or website which will then be delivered to their door.
Each kit will include a swab to collect a sample from the vagina, which can then be sent back to the NHS via free post where it will be tested in laboratories for high-risk strains of HPV. If a high-risk type of HPV is detected, patients will then be notified and asked to attend an in-person screening appointment with a clinician.
These new tests will be available to all women between 30 and 65 who have not previously attended their screening appointments and eligible patients will be notified via the NHS app, text message, email or letter.
The scheme is part of the NHS’s target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, 99.7% types of which are caused by around just 13 strains of high-risk HPV.
Officials hope that the do-it-yourself nature of the test, which can be carried out independently and privately, will encourage women who were otherwise missing their screenings to begin testing.
Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director for women’s health at NHS England, said: “Screening saves thousands of lives each year by preventing cancers and catching them earlier, but only around two-thirds of women are attending cervical screening appointments when invited by the NHS.
“Offering millions of women an alternative test they can do from the comfort of their own homes will be a gamechanger – making it easier than ever for them to get tested for HPV,” she added.
She continued: “There are lots of reasons that may stop women from getting their cervical screening – embarrassment, lack of time, or worries about discomfort – and these kits provide a discreet and convenient option we hope will encourage more women to take up the life-saving test.”
“So, if you’re invited to take part, please order a test – it’s a simple swab you can do at home in minutes.”
Featured image: H_Ko on AdobeStock
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