NHS May Roll Out DIY Cervical Screening Tests in England After Successful Trial, Reaching Over One Million Women

Jul 17, 2024, 07:31 AM

The NHS is considering rolling out DIY cervical screening tests in England following a successful trial. Researchers claim that more than one million extra women could have life-saving cervical-cancer checks if the NHS adopts do-it-yourself testing. The trial found that these DIY smear tests substantially boost cervical cancer screening uptake. The kits, which can be used at home, may lead to a significant increase in the number of cervical-cancer tests conducted, potentially saving thousands of lives. Dr. Aziza Sesay explained how the kits would work compared to traditional check-ups. These HPV tests could enable more than a million women in England to be screened for cervical cancer over the next three years. Women could be sent DIY smear tests in the post under NHS plans.