Hands up if you've ever put off booking – or going to – your cervical screening because you felt a) embarrassed, b) worried it would hurt, c) too busy or d) you simply couldn't get an appointment. You're far from alone.
Around a third of eligible women in England are currently behind on routine cervical screening, with the latest figures showing that just 68.8% are up to date – below NHS England's target of 80%.
Now, in a major change to the screening programme, the NHS has started offering free HPV self-testing kits to women who haven't attended cervical screening after receiving previous invitations.
The kits can be completed privately at home and posted back to an NHS laboratory, with the hope that they will remove some of the barriers that stop women from attending screening in person.
‘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,’ says Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director for Women’s Health at NHS England.
So, who can get one, how does the test work and what happens if HPV is detected? Here's what you need to know.
What to Read Next
Who is eligible for an at-home HPV test?
The rollout is initially targeting women aged 30–65 who are overdue for cervical screening or have not attended after previous invitations.
A few things worth knowing:
- The scheme is being introduced in phases across England
- It is currently invitation-only
- Invitations will arrive through the NHS App, text, email or letter
- Once invited, you can order a free kit through the NHS App or your NHS online account
- If you haven't been invited, you can still book a conventional cervical screening appointment through your GP or sexual health clinic
The rollout forms part of the NHS's ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
How does the at-home HPV test work?
The process is designed to be straightforward and doesn't require a GP appointment or another person to take the sample.
The kit contains a swab – similar to a long cotton bud – which you use to collect a sample from the vagina. You then post it back to an NHS laboratory using the free return system.
The sample is checked for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
According to the NHS, HPV is a common group of viruses that can be passed on through sexual contact and usually causes no symptoms. There are more than 200 different types. Some are considered low-risk, while others are classed as high-risk because they can cause cell changes that may eventually lead to cervical cancer.
What happens if HPV is detected?
First things first: a positive HPV result does not mean you have cervical cancer.
‘High-risk HPV may cause cervical cell changes. These cells aren’t cancer but could lead to cervical cancer in the future if they are not monitored or treated,’ explains Helen Hyndman, MBE, Lead Nurse at The Eve Appeal.
If high-risk HPV is detected, you'll be invited to a follow-up cervical screening appointment with a nurse or doctor.
‘This is so that the healthcare professional can get a sample from your cervix which can be checked for high-risk HPV and changes to the cells of your cervix,’ says Hyndman.
If HPV is present but there are no abnormal cell changes, you may be invited for another screening test at a later date. If abnormal changes are found, you may be referred for a colposcopy, where a specialist examines the cervix more closely.
The important thing to remember is that cervical screening is designed to identify risk early, before cell changes have the chance to develop into cancer.
Is the home test replacing cervical screening?
No. Cervical screening appointments carried out by a clinician remain the standard route for women who already attend their appointments, and the NHS is clear that those who routinely go for screening should continue to do so.
The self-test is being introduced as an additional option for people who haven't taken up previous invitations.
Dr Mann has described the rollout as a ‘gamechanger’ for women who have struggled to attend conventional screening.
Athena Lamnisos, CEO of gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal, agrees that self-testing could remove significant barriers, while stressing the importance of continuing to improve traditional screening too.
‘This is not a replacement for clinician screening, and we will continue to work with and support those attending their traditional cervical screening, to help make their appointments more comfortable and accessible,’ she says.
‘Self-testing which can be done at home will be a step-change for many. We have the incredible opportunity to see the back of cervical cancer. How brilliant would that be? But to achieve this, we need to support everyone eligible to attend screening.’
What if you’re anxious about cervical screening?
There are plenty of completely understandable reasons someone might struggle to attend cervical screening, including embarrassment, fear of pain, lack of time or difficulties getting an appointment.
‘Women and people with a cervix who have a physical or learning disability, who are carers and struggle to find the time, people without flexible and understanding workplaces, survivors of sexual trauma or FGM, trans and non-binary people, and many more may find screening difficult to attend, painful or even traumatic,’ says Hyndman.
For some, being able to take a sample privately at home and at a convenient time may make screening considerably more accessible.
‘These kits provide a discreet and convenient option we hope will encourage more women to take up the life-saving test,’ says Dr Mann. ‘It’s a simple swab you can do at home in minutes.’
Do you still need cervical screening if you've had the HPV vaccine?
Yes.
The HPV vaccine has had a major impact on cervical cancer rates. The first study looking at deaths prevented by the vaccine estimated that it reduced the risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30 to effectively zero among vaccinated women.
And, as reported by Cancer Research UK, during the five years from 2020 to 2024, no women in their early 20s died from cervical cancer in England for the first time on record. Around nine in 10 women in this age group received the HPV vaccine, most at the age of 12 or 13.
However, the vaccine doesn't protect against every type of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. So even if you've been vaccinated, it's still important to take up cervical screening when invited.
What symptoms should you not wait for screening to investigate?
Cervical screening is designed for people who don't have symptoms.
If you do notice symptoms, don't wait for a screening invitation or home test – book an appointment with your GP.
According to Cancer Research UK, symptoms that should be checked include:
- bleeding after sex
- bleeding between periods
- bleeding after menopause
- unusual vaginal discharge
- pelvic pain or pain during sex
These symptoms can have many causes and don't automatically mean you have cervical cancer, but they should still be investigated.
The bottom line
The introduction of HPV self-testing is an important new option for women who haven't attended previous cervical screening appointments – but it doesn't replace clinician-led screening for those already attending routinely.
‘If you’ve been invited for cervical screening, it’s still important to attend. HPV self-testing is a new option specifically for people who have not attended previous screening appointments – it is not a replacement for clinician-led screening,’ says Hyndman.
If you're invited to take part in HPV self-testing, you can order your free kit through the NHS App or your NHS online account. Your invitation will also explain any alternative ways to order.
And if you're overdue but haven't received an invitation for a self-test, you can still book a cervical screening appointment at any time – even if your original invitation arrived months or years ago.
For more advice, visit The Eve Appeal’s cervical screening tips.
With a decade in journalism – in print, online and social – at national newspapers and lifestyle magazines, Alice has tackled just about everything when it comes to health and fitness. A former competitive swimmer, sport has shaped her life from a young age, leading her to take on marathons, an Ironman 70.3, and even cycle up Alpe d’Huez. From sweat-testing the latest (and weirdest) fitness fads to living off a diary-free, meat-free, caffeine-free, fun-free diet at an extreme Ayurvedic retreat in Sri Lanka, she’s tried it all – always in pursuit of peak performance and, of course, a great story.
Alice began her career with a five-year stint at The Telegraph, where she wrote for the Telegraph Magazine's ‘Worth leaving the sofa for?’ fitness column and was the face of the Telegraph running newsletter, documenting her journey over 16 weeks training for the London Marathon. She worked as the Special Reports Commissioning Editor and as a Lifestyle Commissioning Editor before stepping into the world of freelance journalism.
As a freelance lifestyle writer, her work appeared in Women’s Health, Elle, Stylist, Grazia, The Independent, Glamour, Marie Claire, Glorious Sport, The Metro, Conde Nast Traveller, Country and Town House, Queen of Retreats and The Wedding Edition.
In 2022, Alice joined Hearst Magazines as Runner’s World’s Commissioning Editor and now oversees food content as Women’s Health’s Nutrition Editor. With a ‘food first’ ethos, she is here to help you decipher exactly which foods will support your health, and which macro-counting, pasta-replacing, intermittent-fasting, 13-day cleanse is just, well, a scam. A keen baker and host, she firmly believes that no dessert beats a pavlova – especially when topped with summer berries and a generous helping of whipped cream. Delish.
You can keep up with her latest adventures on Instagram at @al_barraclough.
Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women’s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner’s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She’s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.
