Latest news with #selfsampling
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
NHS to roll out DIY cervical cancer screening for women at home
The NHS is to roll out DIY cervical cancer screening at home. Women who have consistently missed offers for screening will be offered the chance to 'self-sample' to help prevent cervical cancer. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said it was part of efforts to provide healthcare 'that works around people's lives '. The Department of Health and Social Care said the new approach could potentially save around 5,000 lives a year in England. Officials said the home-testing kits would be offered from January under the upcoming 10-year health plan, which is expected next week. The plan was recommended by the UK National Screening Committee. Mr Streeting said: 'These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people's lives, not the other way around. They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages. 'Our 10-year health plan will fundamentally reform the NHS, shifting focus from treating illness to preventing it before it starts. 'We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. By making screening more convenient, we're tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.' The tests, which can be performed at home, look for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus which is linked to the majority of cases of cervical cancer. The NHS offers cervical screening tests – previously known as smear tests – to all women aged 25 to 64 every three years. But many women do not take up the offer, with a number citing a lack of time, discomfort or embarrassment. Some five million women are not up to date with routine check-ups, according to data published by the NHS last November. Under the initiative, women will be sent a self-sampling kit in the post which can be returned via pre-paid mail. Those who are found to have the HPV virus will be encouraged to attend an in-person appointment with a clinician. Health minister Karin Smyth said the move was 'a revolutionary shift in how we approach healthcare'. She said many women did not attend cervical cancer screening appointments for understandable reasons – including 'embarrassment, cultural sensitivities, inconvenient services and busy lives'. She wrote in The Telegraph: 'These simple kits test for HPV – the virus responsible for most cervical cancers – and can be used in the privacy of your own home. No awkward appointments, no time off work, no childcare arrangements needed. 'For those who haven't responded to screening invitations, these kits will be offered to you on your NHS app and at the push of a button, mailed to your home.' A trial programme suggested that offering self-sampling kits to 'under-screened' women when they attend their GP practice, and posting kits to women's homes, could boost uptake in England by about 400,000 each year. The YouScreen trial was led by King's College London in partnership with NHS England. NHS England said the new programme 'specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments' including younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBT+ people. Dr Anita Lim, chief investigator of the YouScreen trial from King's College London, said: 'This is a significant step forward for cervical cancer prevention and brings us closer to the NHS goal of eliminating the disease by 2040. 'The YouScreen trial, which provided self-sampling HPV kits to under-screened women in London, demonstrated that self-sampling could reach people who find it difficult to attend traditional screening – including those from diverse and underserved populations. 'It's hugely positive to see this now reflected in national policy, helping more people get protected from this highly preventable cancer.' Michelle Kane, NHS England's director of screening, said: 'There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them. 'I'd encourage anyone who gets an invite for a cervical screening, either from their local GP practice or the NHS App, to attend and if you have any worrying symptoms, please contact your GP. It could save your life.' Early detection saves lives By Karin Smyth Despite having a family history of skin conditions, I was always too busy to pay attention to the warning signs. 'I'm not a sun worshipper,' I told myself as I rushed between meetings, caring for others and constituency commitments, never making time to get that changing mole checked. It was only by chance that a consultant oncologist spotted a small lump on my face at a parliamentary event a few years ago that led me to a check-up. While that lump turned out to be benign, it led to discovering melanoma on my leg. My experience taught me two vital lessons: early detection saves lives, and our healthcare system must work around people's lives, not the other way around. That's why I'm so passionate about the announcement we're making today. Under our 10 Year Health Plan, women who have not taken up the offer of a cervical screening appointment will be offered a self-sample kit to be mailed to their home. This isn't just another NHS initiative – it's a revolutionary shift in how we approach healthcare. Currently, nearly a third of women miss their cervical screening appointments. That's over five million people potentially putting themselves at risk. The reasons are understandable – embarrassment, cultural sensitivities, inconvenient services and busy lives do come in the way of attending appointments. But cervical cancer doesn't care about your schedule. It claims lives that could be saved through early detection. For those unable to attend appointments, self-sampling can allow women to take control back. These simple kits test for HPV – the virus responsible for most cervical cancers – and can be used in the privacy of your own home. No awkward appointments, no time off work, no childcare arrangements needed. For those who haven't responded to screening invitations, these kits will be offered to you on your NHS App and at the push of a button, mailed to your home. Anyone testing positive will be referred for follow-up assessment, ensuring the same high standards of care as traditional screening. This initiative is just one piece of our broader vision outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan. We're moving from treating sickness to preventing it, from hospital corridors to community spaces. Because true healthcare isn't about waiting until you're ill – it's about keeping you well in the first place. I know first-hand the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis. My melanoma journey could have been very different had I ignored that changing mole for longer. Many women with cervical cancer face similar stories – symptoms noticed too late, screening appointments repeatedly postponed. When I tell people to check their skin regularly or attend screening appointments, I'm not speaking from a position of privilege or ignorance. I'm speaking as someone who's faced that fear, someone who knows what's at stake. Because when it comes to cancer, early detection isn't just preferable – it's the difference between life and death. And no one should miss that opportunity because the system wasn't designed with their needs in mind.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
At-home smear tests sent to women in NHS drive to slash cervical cancer cases
DIY cervical cancer tests will be sent to women's homes under NHS plans to boost uptake and help eradicate the disease. The kits will be posted to those who have ignored or missed their smear test invitation and are therefore 'underscreened'. They contain a swab to self-sample the cervix for human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that cause 99 per cent of cervical cancers. The NHS wants to eliminate the cancer entirely by 2040 using screening and vaccination. But only 69 per cent of women take part in screening, well below the 80 per cent target. This means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their check-ups. The screening programme saves an estimated 5,000 lives per year in England but the number could be higher with better uptake. Health chiefs said women may avoid their smear test for fear it will hurt or be embarrassing, or because they struggle to find the time. The new test is a quick at-home sample that is then sent off to a lab in the post. Health bosses hope it will help overcome barriers that prevent some women from attending cervical cancer screening appointments. The initiative will be rolled out in January 2026. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people's lives, not the other way around. Cervical cancer could be eradicated as HPV vaccine slashes 90% of cases 'They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.' 'We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. "By making screening more convenient, we're tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.' Research has suggested that offering DIY testing kits could boost uptake. A trial - led by King's College London in partnership with NHS England - found that offering self-sampling kits to "under-screened" women when they attend their GP practice and by posting kits to women's homes could boost uptake in England by about 400,000 each year. The Department of Health and Social Care said that the new programme "specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments" including younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people. The initiative comes after the UK Health Security Agency revealed that young women in certain parts of England are at higher risk of cervical cancer due to "alarmingly" low uptake of HPV jabs. At-home cervical cancer screening is part of the government's upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, due to be published in the coming weeks, which will focus preventing illness instead of only treating it when symptoms appear. 2 Eve Appeal chief executive, Athena Lamnisos, said: 'There are so many different reasons why those who are eligible aren't responding to their cervical screening invitation letter. 'HPV self-testing will be a step change for some. Being able to do the test in their own time and following simple instructions is what many people want and need. "Ensuring that the under-screened and never screened know about this new test is vital for Eve." Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: "We welcome the UK government's decision to roll out cervical cancer home screening kits in England – to help remove barriers and make cervical screening more accessible. 'The gold standard way to test for HPV is still a sample taken by a clinician and this will be suitable for most people. "But beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone, and this move helps to bring us closer to that goal. "It's important to remember that cervical screening is for people without symptoms so, if you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation - speak to your doctor." The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 for regular screening. Under current guidelines, people aged 25 to 49 are called back for a check-up every three years if they test negative for HPV, whereas 50 to 64-year-olds are invited for checks every five years. But from July, people who test negative during an in-person test with their clinician will be invited back after five years, rather than three, following a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee. Who's at risk of cervical cancer? Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses that most people will get some type of HPV during their lives. It's very common and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. You can get HPV from any kind of skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, not just from penetrative sex. This includes: Vaginal, oral or anal sex Any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area Sharing sex toys In most cases your body will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems. But sometimes HPV can stay in your body for a long time and some types of high risk types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. If high risk types of HPV stay in your body, they can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes may become cervical cancer if not treated. How to lower your risk of cervical cancer You can't always prevent cervical cancer. But there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting cervical cancer. Cervical screening and HPV vaccination are the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for regular cervical screening. It helps find and treat any changes in the cells of the cervix before they can turn into cancer. All children aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine. It helps protect against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as some other cancers and genital warts. You can also lower your chance of getting cervical cancer by: Using condoms, which lower your chance of getting HPV – but they do not cover all the skin around your genitals so you're not fully protected Quitting smoking – smoking can weaken your immune system and the chemicals in cigarettes can also cause cervical cancer Source: NHS The change comes after evidence showed that people who test negative for HPV are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer within the next decade. Anyone whose sample shows traces of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings. Digital invitations and reminders for cervical screening were also recently rolled out as part of the NHS App's 'ping and book' service to boost uptake. Cervical cancer symptoms, such as bleeding between periods and during sex, should be investigated by a GP. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7 per cent of cervical cancers. They cause cell changes which can eventually turn cancerous. Dangerous strains of the common virus can also lead to mouth, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancer.
