HPV self-sampling tests will now be available for those who are overdue cervical screening

Currently, the UK’s cervical screening programme requires people to go in to their GP surgery where a sample is taken from their cervix by a nurse or doctor.

To do this a speculum is used to open up the vagina and a soft brush is inserted to take a sample from the cervix. This is then sent off for testing at a laboratory to see whether high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is present, the virus which causes nearly all cervical cancers. If high-risk HPV is present, then the sample will be checked for signs of changes on the cells which could develop into cancer over time if left untreated.  

Cervical screening is estimated to saved 5000 lives each year in the UK by preventing cervical cancer from developing, yet cervical screening attendance is dropping year-on-year. 1 in 3 women and people with a cervix are not attending when invited, and in some parts of London this is a high as 1 in 2. It is thought that cervical cancer is almost wholly preventable and the World Health Organisation and the NHS have made a commitment to eliminating it. Yet to do that it is estimated that we need at least 80% of everyone eligible for cervical screening to attend, which is everyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64. 

There are many reasons why some people might not attend their screening, such as feeling like they don’t want or need it, fear, embarrassment, a lack of understanding of the importance of screening, or because of a range of other barriers. Women and people with a cervix who have a physical or learning disability, who are carers and struggle to find the time, people without flexible and understanding workplaces, survivors of sexual trauma or FGM, trans and non-binary people, and many more may find screening difficult to attend, painful or even traumatic.  

To increase attendance and reduce cervical cancer enough for it to be eliminated would be an incredible feat, saving over 3000 people from a tough diagnosis each year in the UK and over 850 lives. To achieve this we need to focus our efforts on enabling the people who have never been screened, or haven’t been screened for a long time to attend. We need to address the individual barriers people face with targeted information, awareness, support and improvements to the screening programme. 

This is something The Eve Appeal and researchers across the world have been hoping to do, and we have been part of the working group making recommendations for HPV self-sampling to be made part of the NHS cervical screening programme. Today’s news takes us a step closer by having more options out there to help those people who haven’t gone for screening to take the first step on the screening pathway and find out whether they have high-risk HPV.

a photo of the self-sampling HPV test, a long cotton bud like swab in a test tube

The self-sampling HPV kit is a swab, like a long cotton bud, which is used to take a sample from the vagina. This means that women and people with a cervix who haven’t attended cervical screening and find it difficult for whatever reason can, in the comfort of their own home, take a sample from inside their vagina without a speculum or nurse or doctor present to find out if they have high-risk HPV.

The tests will be posted out to people’s houses in discreet packaging, and with instructions on how to do the test and a prepaid envelope for posting it back to the laboratory for testing. 

If the HPV self-sampling test finds high-risk HPV, people would need to go into the GP surgery to have a standard cervical screening test done so that their cervical cells can be checked for any signs of cell changes. If these are present, further tests can be done to see whether cell changes need to be monitored or treated. 13 in every 100 people who go for their screening get a positive result for high-risk HPV, so for the majority the self-sampling kit will be all they need to do.  

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-screen 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.
–Dr Anita Lim, Chief Investigator of the YouScreen trial and Visiting Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London

Your frequently asked questions

We answer some of your most frequently asked questions about at home HPV self-sampling tests.

When will HPV self-sampling tests become available?

HPV self-sampling tests will begin being sent out in 2026.

Who will be eligible for HPV self-sampling tests?

HPV self-sampling tests will be sent out to women and people with a cervix who are at least six months overdue their cervical screening test.

How can I get a HPV self-sampling test?

If you are eligible for a HPV self-sampling test and are overdue a cervical screening test by at least six months, then a test will be posted out to your home address. It will arrive in discreet packaging and come with clear instructions and a pre paid envelope to post the sample back for testing.

HPV self-sampling tests will be rolled out in order of risk to begin with. So they will first be sent out to people who have never gone for cervical screening, then in order of how overdue screening tests are.

This is so the HPV self-sampling programme addresses health inequalities and helps those at the highest risk first.

How do I use a HPV self-sampling test?

The self-sampling HPV kit is a swab, like a long cotton bud, which is used to take a sample from the vagina. The kit will come with clear instructions and a prepaid envelope to post the sample back.

You hold the swab at the line on its stick, and gently insert it into your vagina and swirl it round (similar to taking a covid test up your nose). You only need to get a sample from inside your vagina, you do not need to find your cervix with the swab. You then put the swab into the tube it came in and post it off with the prepaid envelope so it can be tested at a laboratory.

Will I be able to take the sample myself properly?

Research has shown that 99% of people using HPV self-sampling are able to take the test properly and get a sample. The test comes with thorough instructions and is an easy to use swab, which just needs a sample from inside the vagina. A study called HPValidate, which tested self-sampling at cervical screening sites, found that 3 in 4 people said they had an excellent experience of using the test, and nearly 1 in 4 (23%) said they had a good experience.

Can I ask my GP for a HPV self-sampling test instead of screening?

No, HPV self-sampling tests will only be sent out in the post to those who are at least six months overdue their cervical screening appointment. It will begin in early 2026 and they will prioritise those who have never been screened and are overdue the longest. So, it is still important you attend your cervical screening test when invited.

What happens if the results come back positive for high-risk HPV?

If your HPV self-sampling test results show you have high-risk HPV then you will be asked to go into your GP surgery for a cervical screening test. This is so that the healthcare professional can get a sample from your cervix which can be checked for high-risk HPV and changes to the cells of your cervix, which could over time, develop into cancer if not treated or monitored.

How well do the HPV self-sampling tests work?

Research has shown that HPV self-sampling tests are as accurate at detecting HPV as the current cervical screening tests done by healthcare professionals. The self-sampling tests are only able to check for HPV, and can’t be used to look for changes to the cells which could lead to cervical cancer. This is why if your HPV-self sampling tests shows you have high-risk HPV you will be asked to go to your GP surgery for a cervical screening test.

Will HPV self-sampling make a difference?

Research by Kings College London called YouScreen found that when contacted through the post, 13% of people took up the HPV self-sampling test. They estimated that offering HPV self-sampling tests to those who haven’t been screened or are overdue could lead to 400,000 more people accessing screening. Currently in the UK 1 in 3 women and people with a cervix aren’t attending cervical screening when invited. To reach our goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, we need 80% of all people eligible to go for cervical screening.

HPV self-sampling could be an important tool in helping people who don’t attend cervical screening for whatever reason to take that first step in the process by finding out if they have high-risk HPV.

More information and advice

We have lots more information and tips on cervical screening, HPV, and cervical cancer. You can also speak to our Ask Eve nurses for free to chat about any worries or questions.