HPV home-testing kits available for women in England who have missed cervical screening
Women who have missed a cervical screening appointment in England are to be offered HPV self-testing kits by the NHS.
Over the next year, nearly 4 million will receive invites on the NHS App or via text message, email or letter to order a free kit to use at home.
Figures show around a third of women who are eligible cervical cancer screening have not taken up the offer recently.
The self-testing kits are designed to get more women checked for high-risk HPV virus, which causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
Gem Sofianos-Boorman, 39, said her experience shows how important the screening is.
She was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28, following screening, and says it as the last thing she expected, given she was young, healthy and had no symptoms.
She had surgery to remove the cancerous cells plus lymph nodes from her abdomen and pelvis to stop it spreading.
"Looking back, I truly believe that going to my screening appointment saved my life. My cancer was found early, which allowed me to have treatment before it spread.
"That's why it's great news that the NHS is making it more accessible for some people to take part in screening."
Cervical cancer often doesn't cause any symptoms until the disease is more advanced and harder to treat.
"If you receive an invite to cervical screening, or an offer of a self-testing kit, please don't ignore it - it could save your life."
Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director for women's health, said: "Offering millions of women an alternative test they can do from the comfort of their own homes will be a game-changer – making it easier than ever for them to get tested.
"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."
The kits contain a swab, similar to a long cotton, bud which is used to collect a sample from the vagina.
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