At-home cervical screening tests offered in England

Women who have delayed coming forward for cervical screening will be offered a test to be taken at home, NHS England has said.

The DIY test kits, available from January, contain a long cotton-wool bud to swab the lining of the vagina.

The test is for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers, and women between the ages of 25 and 64 are offered it every few years.

The Department for Health and Social Care in England said the scheme would tackle "deeply entrenched barriers" that keep women away from cervical screening.

This can be due to embarrassment, discomfort, lack of time as well as religious or cultural concerns.

Just 68.8% of women currently take up the offer of cervical cancer screening - well below the NHS England target of 80%.

Younger women, those with a disability, ethnic minority communities and LGBT+ groups are more likely to miss appointments.

A recent trial showed the rollout of home test kits across England could increase the proportion screened to 77% over three years.

Hazel Stinson, 49, from Kent, suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and was last able to visit the GP for a cervical screening six years ago.

She says she is "absolutely thrilled" that at-home testing is being rolled out across England.

"This will mean that I and millions of other people just like me will be able to have the test when otherwise they might not be able to do it," she added.

Ms Stinson said as someone with chronic fatigue, which is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, "the most important thing is to advocate for yourself".

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Source: BBC News, 24 June 2025

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