NHS England launches free HPV self-test kits for cervical screening

NHS England has begun offering free human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing kits to nearly four million women who are not up to date with cervical screening, in a major initiative aimed at boosting participation and moving closer to eliminating the disease by 2040. The program, which started on August 25, 2026, targets women and people with a cervix aged 30 to 65 in England who have missed previous screening invitations.

The rollout addresses a significant gap in preventive care, as current figures show only 68.8% of eligible women are up to date with their cervical screening, well below the NHS target of 80%. This means approximately four million people are not current with their routine checks. The new home kits provide an alternative to traditional in-person smear tests, which some women find difficult to attend due to embarrassment, time constraints, or concerns about discomfort.

Dr. Sue Mann, National Clinical Director for Women's Health at NHS England, described the initiative as a "gamechanger." She stated that offering millions of women a discreet and convenient test they can do at home will make it easier than ever to get tested for HPV, the virus responsible for nearly...