A trial led by Kings College London has found that self-sampling human papillomavirus (HPV) kits could boost the number of women screened in England by 400,000 each year.

HPV self-sampling test kits were given to over 27,000 people who were at least six months overdue for cervical screening, as part of the YouSeek trial. These tests were provided either at their GP practice or by posting kits to their homes.

Of the 8,838 people who sent back self-samples, 64% were from ethnic minority groups and 60% from deprived populations. Additionally, 13% returned self-sample kits when mailed directly to them from the screening programme and 56% returned a kit when offered at their GP practice.

The current gold standard of cervical screening in the UK involves a clinician who uses a speculum and a soft brush to take a sample of cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to the laboratory and tested for high-risk HPV infection, the main cause of cervical cancer. If that is detected, the cells are tested for any abnormalities.

Women using the self-testing kits take their vaginal swab using a long cotton bud, offering a more discreet experience compared to an in-person appointment. In the UK, cervical screening is available to women aged 25 to 64 in England.  

The number of people attending their cervical screening test has been dropping year on year. A survey from NHS England found that 68.7% of 25 to 64-year-olds had attended screening within the recommended period, compared to 69.9% the previous year. Several factors can influence a person not wanting to have a cervical cancer screening, including a history of trauma and a busy lifestyle.  

In the announcement accompanying the data, lead investigator Dr Anita Lim from King’s College London said: “It is crucial that we make cervical screening easier by introducing innovations like self-sampling, alongside the current cervical screening programme, to help protect more people from this highly preventable cancer. Self-sampling can do this by offering people choice and convenience.” 

Cervical screening is important because – if detected early – cervical cancer is treatable. According to GlobalData epidemiologists, diagnosed incident cases of cervical cancer are expected to increase from 109,891 cases in 2020 to 123,846 cases in 2030, in the eight major markets (US, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, and urban China). 

This comes after the NHS set an ambitious target of eliminating cervical cancer, which is caused by HPV, by 2040. In addition to cervical screening, HPV vaccine uptake also plays a significant role.