NHS England to offer women ‘gamechanging’ free home testing kits for cervical cancer
Summary
The NHS in England will offer free home testing kits for cervical cancer to women who have missed their screening appointments. These kits let women collect samples at home to test for high-risk HPV, a virus that can cause cervical cancer, making screening easier and more accessible.Key Facts
- Millions of women in England who missed cervical screening will be sent free home testing kits.
- Only about two-thirds of women currently attend cervical screening appointments.
- The home test kit includes a swab to collect a sample from the vagina, which is sent by post to NHS labs.
- The test looks for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types that cause most cervical cancers.
- Women aged 30 to 65 not up to date with screening will get an invitation by app, text, email, or letter.
- If high-risk HPV is found, women will be asked to see a clinician for further screening.
- The NHS aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved screening.
- Health leaders say the home kits offer a discreet, convenient option to increase screening rates and save lives.
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