Millions of women in England who have missed cervical screening appointments will be offered free home testing kits on the NHS.
The move comes amid concerns that only two-thirds of women attend in-person cervical screening appointments when asked to do so, leaving as many as 4 million women not up to date.
The rollout is being described as a “gamechanger”, offering a “discreet and convenient option” to encourage more women to get screened.
The kits contain a swab to collect a sample from the vagina. This is then posted back to the NHS free, where it is tested in labs for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
If high-risk HPV is detected, patients will then be asked to attend a cervical screening appointment with a clinician.
Starting on Tuesday, eligible women between 30 and 65 who have not attended screening appointments will be sent invitations via the NHS app, text message, email or letter.
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.”
Source: The Guardian, 25 August 2026
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