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Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nWomen who have delayed coming forward for cervical screening will be offered a test to be taken at home, NHS England has said.<\/b><\/p>\n The DIY test kits, available from January, contain a long cotton-wool bud to swab the lining of the vagina.<\/p>\n The test is for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers, and women between the ages of 25 and 64 are offered it every few years.<\/p>\n But more than five million women aren’t up to date with the test, according to the government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Department for Health and Social Care in England said the scheme would tackle “deeply entrenched barriers” that keep women away from cervical screening.<\/p>\n This can be due to embarrassment, discomfort, lack of time as well as religious or cultural concerns.<\/p>\n Just 68.8% of women currently take up the offer of cervical cancer screening – well below the NHS England target of 80%.<\/p>\n Younger women, those with a disability, ethnic minority communities and LGBT+ groups are more likely to miss appointments.<\/p>\n A recent trial showed the rollout of home test kits across England could increase the proportion screened to 77% over three years.<\/p>\n The Department of Health said women who had rarely or never attended cervical screening would be offered a self-sample kit to complete at home. <\/p>\n The kits are sent out “in discreet packaging” and the return postage is pre-paid. <\/p>\n The test checks for HPV alone, but if that’s detected then women will be invited for to see a doctor who will check for cell changes which could indicate cancer.<\/p>\n Health and Social Care secretary Wes Streeting said: “We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. <\/p>\n “By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”<\/p>\n Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said “beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone” adding that at-home testing “helps to bring us closer to that goal”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hazel Stinson, 49, from Kent, suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and was last able to visit the GP for a cervical screening six years ago.<\/p>\n She says she is “absolutely thrilled” that at-home testing is being rolled out across England.<\/p>\n “This will mean that I and millions of other people just like me will be able to have the test when otherwise they might not be able to do it,” she added.<\/p>\n Ms Stinson said as someone with chronic fatigue, which is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, “the most important thing is to advocate for yourself”.<\/p>\n She says she has always been left “feeling fearful” that her inability to attend the GP regularly for tests like cervical screening could really affect her health.<\/p>\n “I’m unwell enough as it is – I really don’t want anything else on top of this,” she explained.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n‘I’m absolutely thrilled’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Main symptoms of cervical cancer<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n