Women to trial new ‘do-it-at-home’ smear test kits for NHS

New ‘do-it-at-home’ tests to check for early warnings of cervical cancer are being offered to around 31,000 women in London, as part of an NHS trial. Experts hope it could be a way to encourage more women to get screened.

Self-sampling is already being offered in countries including Australia and Denmark.

Women living in five boroughs of London, if they are overdue for a check and aged between 25 and 64, will be offered the kit either through the post or from their GP.

If the results reveal an infection known as human papillomavirus (HPV) they will be asked to attend their GP for a standard smear test to closely examine the cells of their cervix. HPV infections can cause these cells to change and sometimes develop into cancer.

Cancer Research UK have said it was not yet known how accurate and effective self-sampling would be in cervical screening.

Dr Anita Lim, who is leading the trial, said “Women who don’t come for regular screening are at the highest risk of developing cervical cancer, so it is crucial that we find ways like this to make screening easier and protect women from what is a largely preventable cancer.

“Self-sampling is a game-changer. This simple and convenient swab means it can be done in the privacy and comfort of your own home.”

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer for the NHS in England, said “GPs have taken extra precautions to make surgeries safe. And these home kits give thousands of women another option to keep up to date with their screening.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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