Yorkshire Cancer Research statement on the introduction of at-home HPV tests

Yorkshire Cancer Research welcomes the Government’s decision to offer HPV self-sampling testing to women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening.

The decision to include this change in the 10 Year Health Plan marks a significant milestone in cervical screening and will play an important role in achieving a future free from cervical cancer.

Yorkshire Cancer Research has been calling for at-home tests to be introduced and supported the UK National Screening Committee’s proposal to offer self-sampling for HPV testing in response to its consultation in February 2025. The charity is pleased that its recommendation has now been adopted.

Approximately 3 in 10 women in Yorkshire do not attend appointments when invited. This can be for many different reasons, including embarrassment, fear of pain or time constraints.

Research shows that at-home tests have the potential to screen more than 100,000 more women for HPV in Yorkshire over a three-year period.

It’s vital that the Government delivers proper funding for and adopts innovative approaches in screening as swiftly as possible, to help address health inequalities and ensure everyone can benefit from life-saving tests.