HPV self-testing

Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. However, for those women and people with a cervix, who have not attended cervical screening following previous invitations, the NHS is offering HPV self-testing as an alternative check for a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a common virus and is usually harmless, but some high-risk types can increase your chance of developing cervical cancer.
If you are eligible, the NHS will invite you to take part in HPV self-testing.

Your invite could come through the NHS App, in a text message (SMS), an email or a letter. Once you’ve been invited, it’s easy to order your free kit in the NHS App or through your NHS online account or via the order telephone line.

HPV self-testing is different from cervical screening. You can do it yourself, in private. The test involves inserting a swab (a bit like a cotton bud) a few centimetres into your vagina to collect a sample. You then post the sample back to the NHS for free, where it is checked for high-risk HPV.

If high-risk HPV is found, it does not mean you have cervical cancer. You’ll be asked to book a cervical screening appointment at your GP surgery or sexual health clinic where a nurse or doctor will take a small sample from your cervix. This will be checked for cell changes that could increase the risk of cervical cancer. These changes can be treated.

You can still book a cervical screening appointment any time – even if you were invited for cervical screening months or years ago.

You can’t opt in to HPV self-testing – if you’re eligible, the NHS will contact you.

For more info, search ‘NHS cervical screening’.