DIY kits may see million more cervical-cancer tests

More than one million extra women could have life-saving cervical-cancer checks if the NHS adopted do-it-yourself testing, researchers estimate.

The team at King’s College London said the results of its self-testing trial were “fantastic” and “gave power to women”.

The kits are like a Covid swab but longer and are posted to a lab for analysis.

The NHS called the findings extremely positive and is assessing whether to roll out the scheme.

There are more than 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK each year.

“Cervical cancer screening has been in decline for the last 20 years,” a senior consultant on the trial, Mairead Lyons, said.

"Many women will describe it as an uncomfortable experience [or they are] too busy, embarrassed or afraid of the physical experience of it."

NHS England screening and vaccination director Deborah Tomalin called the trial results “extremely promising”.

“The NHS will now be working with the UK National Screening Committee to consider the feasibility of rolling this out more widely across England,” she said.

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Source: BBC News, 17 July 2024