Cervical cancer charity calls for action on at-home testing during pandemic
The charity said many women find a smear test challenging, especially with COVID-19, and called self-sampling a "game-changer".
Monday 18 January 2021 18:26, UK
A cervical cancer charity has called for faster action on at-home testing, after research showed the majority of women would prefer to give a self-sample.
A study from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust during the pandemic found that 32% of women would prefer to take a sample themselves at home for HPV - the virus that can lead to cervical cancer - than attend an in-person screening with a clinician.
That number rose to 62% if there was a promise it could be easy and reliable.
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Around one in four women and people with a cervix did not attend their smear test when invited before the pandemic, the charity says, and is concerned that the number of people going for a screening will have fallen since then, due to pressures on the NHS and paused programmes.
It found that the pandemic has led to more people being hesitant to go for a smear test, with 9% now saying they definitely would not attend and 22% less likely to attend, with higher levels of concern among those who have been shielding or living with someone shielding, women from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and those overdue screening.
Rebecca Shoosmith, the acting chief executive of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust said: "We have a roadmap to eliminate cervical cancer and self-sampling is a key part of this, one that will save lives."
She added that an increasing number of people find the test challenging and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased that trend, calling self-sampling a "game-changer".
Among those who rarely or never book a cervical smear, 47% said they would prefer self-testing than a screening with a clinician.
Dr Edward Morris, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: "It's clear from the survey by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust that women are concerned about the safety of attending smear tests during the pandemic.
"We want to stress that it's incredibly important women do still attend their cervical screening appointments as they can be lifesaving.
"We fully support calls to make cervical screening more accessible and would welcome the introduction of HPV self-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme. In countries where this is already offered there has been significant success and has increased the screening uptake amongst all women."
The charity adds that two self-sampling pilot programmes are under way in the UK - in London and Dumfries and Galloway.
Cervical cancer screening looks for abnormal cells before they turn into cancer.