Women in the UK may soon be able to do their own smear test at home

The number of women taking smear tests in the UK is currently at a 21-year low
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When a woman in the UK turns 25, she will receive a letter from the NHS inviting her to book an appointment for a smear test. The test takes less than five minutes, and while it can feel invasive, it is necessary to check the health of a women's cervix, as well as screen for abnormal cell changes and Human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is the virus that causes 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases, which is why having a smear test is so important, for potential early diagnosis.

Yet, women taking smear tests has hit a 21-year low – with London having the lowest cervical screening uptake in England - which is why a new pilot scheme from the NHS is looking at offering self-sampling kits for women to do at home.

The kit, that will be sent out in the post, will test for HPV and take women ‘only a few seconds’ to test themselves. Once done, the kit will also have an envelope in it with instructions detailing how the sample can be sealed and sent off to be tested in a lab.

Sir Mike Richards, former government cancer director for England, told MPs at the Commons Public Accounts Committee: “I think if we find it is successful, it might well be able to reach people who aren't being reached by the current service.

“We need to improve the convenience for patients – better access in terms of out-of-hours services, better access in terms of [clinics] close to where people work – but on top of that we may get to a different segment of the population by offering HPV self-sampling sets through the post.”

This scheme has already been successful in Australia and the Netherlands, and if the initial trials are successful here, then it will be rolled out nationwide.

The NHS recommends women in the UK take a smear test every three years between the ages of 25 and 49 – so if you’re over 25 and yet to have a smear test, book one in with your local GP.

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