Women in Scotland to get at-home cervical screening kits

Some women in Scotland will be offered a cervical cancer screening test which can be taken at home, the BBC has learned.

The Scottish government is still finalising its plans but it is hoped the home tests will initially be offered in deprived areas, where screening rates are lower.

The move is designed to increase the number of women taking the test for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers.

NHS England has launched a home testing scheme for those who have delayed coming forward for cervical screening.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 25 to 35 years of age in Scotland, with around six women diagnosed with the disease every week.

Over 99% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV - which is a very common group of viruses.

The publishing of screening rates in Scotland is currently paused due to "data quality issues" but figures for 2021/22 show 68.7% of eligible women were up to date with their screening participation.

For the most deprived areas, 62.4% of eligible women were screened, compared with 73.1% of women from the least deprived parts of the country.

A recent trial showed the rollout of home test kits across England could increase the proportion of women screened to 77% over three years.

The scheme in England involves sending kits out in discreet packaging and the return postage is pre-paid.

The test checks for HPV alone, but if that is detected then women will be invited for to see a doctor who will check for cell changes which could indicate cancer.

Scotland's Public Health Minister, Jenni Minto, said: "I welcome the recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee, an independent expert group that advises all four UK nations, which recognises that self-sampling could improve accessibility and increase uptake of cervical screening.

"The screening programme will work at pace to deliver an initial roll-out in Scotland.

"Though plans require to be finalised, it is our hope that we will be able to begin by offering it to women in some of our most deprived areas."

HPV is very common - most people will get some type of HPV in their life, according to the NHS.

Most people who have it will not realise it and do not experience any problems.

However some types can cause genital warts or cancer.

Scotland introduced a new smear test that screened for HPV in 2020 in order to more effectively identify those at risk of developing cervical cancer.

It meant women only have to go for cervical screening every five years rather than every three.