Dawn of the DIY home smear test

THOUSANDS of women will be given DIY smear tests in a bid to boost screening uptake.

More than 31,000 kits will be given out by the NHS so that women can carry out the potentially life-saving check in the comfort of their own home for the first time.

It is hoped the trial will encourage women who are too embarrassed to have the test conducted at a GP surgery or health centre. If successful, health professionals say the kits could soon be rolled out nationally.

The tests, which look for strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, will be posted to women aged 25 to 64 who are 15 months overdue for a check.

Study leader Dr Anita Lim, from King’s College London, said selfsampling is a ‘game-changer for cervical screening’. She added: ‘We know many women aren’t coming forward for screening and almost half of women in some parts of London aren’t up to date with their cervical screening.

‘It’s an intimate procedure and a variety of barriers can stop people from attending, even though it can be a life-saving test. This simple and convenient swab means it can be done in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

‘Women who don’t come for regular screening are at the highest risk of developing cervical cancer, so it is crucial that we find ways like this to make screening easier and protect women from what is a largely preventable cancer.’ Screening for the disease in Britain has fallen to an all-time low, with around five million women currently overdue for testing. Nearly a third of women ignored their latest invitation and, because they have not had a test for years, are at risk. Studies have shown the DIY kits can increase screening in hard-to-reach groups by up to 50 per cent. The trial will target women in the London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Islington, Newham and Tower Hamlets, where screening attendance is low.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, said: ‘This is an important new way to make screening easier for thousands of women. We would urge every woman to make sure they have their smear test – the earlier HPV is detected the better. It could save your life.’

Kate Sanger, from Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: ‘Self-sampling removes so many of the challenges to cervical screening and through our research we know it is very much wanted by women.’

Those taking part in the YouScreen trial run by NHS England, Public Health England and King’s College London will post their swabs for analysis and if HPV is detected, they will be contacted for a follow-up appointment.

‘Screening easier for thousands’