Cervical Cancer Screening: At-Home Tests Offer Lifesaving Opportunity

Strategic Insights -

Women born before 1990 can reduce their risk of cervical cancer by 80 to 90 per cent if they undergo regular screening. The current cervical screening rate in the UK is at its lowest point in almost 20 years, with only 66 per cent of eligible women up to date with their appointments. However, researchers from Queen Mary University of London and King's College London have found that offering at-home self-testing kits could prevent up to 1,000 cases of cervical cancer every year.

Key Takeaways:

  • 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the UK, but this number would be 5,000 higher if it weren't for cervical screening.
  • The percentage of women participating in cervical screening has been falling, with only 66 per cent of those eligible for screening being up to date in 2024.
  • The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is almost 90 per cent effective at preventing cervical cancer in women in their twenties who were offered it at age 12 to 13.
  • Cervical screening can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by 80 per cent.
  • Researchers estimate that offering at-home self-testing kits to women overdue for screening could prevent up to 1,000 cases of cervical cancer every year.
  • The study found that 234 (52 per cent) of women offered a self-sampling kit during a GP appointment accepted and returned a sample.
  • However, the uptake of self-sampling after a postal offer was lower, at 12 per cent among those sent a kit and 5 per cent for women sent a letter offering a kit.
  • The researchers recruited 13 GP practices in West London and divided them into two groups, with one group offering in-person kits and the other group not.
  • The study found that the in-person offer resulted in a higher uptake of self-sampling, with 52 per cent accepting and returning a sample.

Statistics:

  • 3,000: The number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the UK.
  • 5,000: The number of cases that would occur if it weren't for cervical screening.
  • 66 per cent: The percentage of women eligible for screening who are up to date in 2024.
  • 90 per cent: The effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer in women in their twenties who were offered it at age 12 to 13.
  • 80 per cent: The reduction in risk of cervical cancer through regular screening.
  • 1,000: The estimated number of cases of cervical cancer that could be prevented by offering at-home self-testing kits.
  • 52 per cent: The percentage of women who accepted and returned a sample when offered a self-sampling kit during a GP appointment.
  • 12 per cent: The uptake of self-sampling after a postal offer among those sent a kit.
  • 5 per cent: The uptake of self-sampling after a postal offer among those sent a letter offering a kit.

Sources:

  • A study led by Queen Mary University of London with King's College London found that offering at-home self-testing kits could prevent up to 1,000 cases of cervical cancer every year.
  • Research was published in the journal EClinicalMedicine.
  • Professor Peter Sasieni from Queen Mary University of London explained that cervical cancer is the most preventable of cancers.
  • Dr Anita Lim, lead epidemiologist on the study from King's College London, said that self-sampling gives women greater control over how and when they get screened.
  • Cancer Research UK stated that almost a third of people in the UK tell them they are overdue for their appointment.
  • A study by Cancer Research UK found that vaccinating against HPV is almost 90 per cent effective at preventing cervical cancer in women in their twenties who were offered it at age 12 to 13.