02/09/2026
NHS England will be rolling out HPV self-testing kits to help more women take part in cervical screening
It's been announced that some 30-to-65-year-olds who haven't attended cervical screening when invited will have the option to do their own test for high-risk HPV at home.
HPV self-testing will be rolled out in phases across England. If you're eligible, you'll be invited to order a free HPV self-testing kit, which includes a swab to take a sample of cells from your va**na. The sample is then sent to the NHS for free in a discreet envelope. The sample will be tested for high-risk HPV, which causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
There are many reasons why some women might not attend their cervical screening. These can include fear, worries about pain, difficulty getting to appointments and cultural barriers. HPV self-testing can help reduce some of these barriers so more people can take part.
It's still best to have your screening done by a nurse or doctor, and this option works for most women. But HPV self-testing is an additional option for women who might otherwise not take part in cervical screening.
For more information about cervical screening, talk to your GP or visit https://cruk.ink/46iz2Lv
