New mail-in smear tests could save 5,000 lives each year
The NHS will introduce DIY cervical cancer screening tests for women in England who have consistently missed traditional appointments.
The self-administered kits, designed to detect HPV, will be mailed to eligible women starting January 2026.
The initiative aims to increase screening uptake by addressing barriers like discomfort or lack of time, ultimately leading to earlier detection of cervical cancer.
Research, including the YouScreen trial, suggests that offering self-sampling kits could boost uptake by approximately 400,000 women annually.
The Department of Health and Social Care anticipates the new program could potentially save around 5,000 lives each year by targeting underserved groups and making screening more convenient.
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