Optimisation of cervical screening

HPV self-sampling

In 2025, the UK NSC recommended that women and people with a cervix who never or rarely participate in cervical screening are given the option of collecting their own sample for HPV testing to help boost informed uptake.

Evidence suggests that offering people the option to collect their own sample rather than having a sample taken by a nurse or doctor, can help more people take part in cervical screening.

Self-sampling (or self-testing, as it’s referred to in England) is now being piloted and gradually introduced across parts of the UK. Read about the latest research into self-sampling and plans for implementation below.

Implementation of self-sampling

England

NHS England (NHSE) announced that they’ll be gradually rolling out HPV self-testing from August 2026.

HPV self-testing kits will be offered to an eligible group of women and people with a cervix aged 30-65 if they have not attended cervical screening following routine invitations. If high-risk HPV is found, people will be invited to book a follow-up cervical screening appointment at their GP surgery or sexual health clinic.

NHSE will invite eligible people to take part in HPV self-testing via the NHS App, email, text message or letter. Once invited, they’ll be able to order a free kit through the NHS App or their NHS online account. If they don’t have an account, they can create one or use the telephone order line.

It’s important to note that HPV self-testing will not replace routine cervical screening.

Key points to know about the HPV self-testing pathway

• Self-testing provides an additional route to help a specific group of people, who are under-screened, take part in cervical screening in a way that works for them.

• Those who test HPV positive following the self-test will still need to have a sample taken by a clinician.

• It’s still best to have cervical screening done by a health care professional, but HPV self-testing offers an alternative for people who might not otherwise take part in screening.

• People who are invited to self-test can still book a cervical screening appointment at any time if they don’t want to do self-testing.

• People should still be supported to take up their routine cervical screening appointment in a timely manner.

GPs and nurses will not be able to request a self-testing kit on behalf of patients but may receive questions about the roll out. Here are some FAQs to help GP practices manage patient queries.

Wales

Targeted self-sampling opportunities delivered in partnership with primary care will launch in 2026, helping to inform and support a wider national self-sampling rollout in late 2027.

Scotland

NHS Scotland has launched the first phase of the cervical screening programme offering HPV self-sampling kits to people who never or rarely attend cervical screening.

The initial phase is a pilot which will run across 21 GP practices in four health board areas - NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian - with the aim of reaching 15,000 participants. These GP practices have been selected because of higher levels of deprivation combined with high numbers of under-screened participants, where evidence shows cervical cancer outcomes are often worse. Learnings from this initial phase will inform plans to roll out self-sampling more widely.

Eligible participants in participating practices will be offered normal screening either when they visit their GP practice for another reason or through proactive outreach by their practice. If they do not want the standard screen, they will then be offered a self-sampling kit.

Public Health Scotland has developed resources to support the HPV sampling pilot. These resources give participants the information so that they can make an informed decision about taking part along with instructions on how to take the sample

The latest research into self-sampling

Studies suggest that HPV self-sampling could support non-attenders to participate in cervical screening¹²³. Research to understand the accuracy of self-sampling tests suggest similar sensitivity for detecting high risk HPV between clinician-collected and self-collected samples^{4 56}.

However, more research is needed to better understand the feasibility of introducing self-sampling into cervical screening programmes, including clinical and cost effectiveness, as well as any impact on inequalities. Plans are underway for an In-Service Evaluation to further develop the evidence for self-sampling within the cervical screening programmes.

There are some key studies that have been completed or are ongoing.

Extending screening intervals

In 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommended the extension of the screening intervals from three to five years for individuals aged 25 to 49 who test HPV negative as part of their routine screen test. 

Scotland, Wales and England have since extended their screening intervals in line with the UK NSC recommendation. Northern Ireland may align their programme in the future too. To ensure public acceptability of an increased screening interval, it’s important to provide people with information about the rationale for any change¹¹. 

For further information, read our article explaining England’s 2025 update to cervical screening intervals. 

Wider interventions which could optimise cervical screening

There are a range of interventions that health systems can consider to help optimise cervical screening.

• Targeted education, information and awareness raising initiatives, with a particular focus on under screened populations, may improve participation¹².  

• Support workers have been found to be effective in improving cervical screening uptake across different socioeconomic and ethnic groups, with successful interventions delivered in person at clinical or community settings. Find What works? Key recommendations in this HEEC leaflet  

• Work with faith or community leaders in order to reach under screened groups and educate them about the reasons for screening. 

• Ensure screening is offered in convenient places/settings and at convenient times, ensuring the consultation room is as comfortable as possible. 

• Health systems could work with local workplaces to share cancer screening information and ensure employers can support employee participation¹³. 

• Use HPV vaccination as an opportunity to educate young people about cervical cancer prevention and the need for screening.

• Remote tools such as sending educational videos or online booking may support screening participation whilst limiting administrative burden¹⁴. 

Read more about cervical screening

Encouraging informed participation

The latest evidence on barriers and resources to support informed choices.

Cervical cancer prevention: HPV vaccination and screening

Read about primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cervical screening coverage.

Cervical screening homepage

Get resources to support uptake, including information on safety netting and barriers to participation.