Women in England could be offered DIY cervical screening tests on NHS

A DIY cervical screening test. Nearly a third of women in England – particularly younger women, those from minority ethnic backgrounds and deprived areas – have not taken up their most recent test. Photograph: King’s College London/PA

Women could be offered DIY cervical screening tests on the NHS, after research found self-testing at home significantly improved screening rates.

Researchers calculated that being able to take their sample at home could encourage about 400,000 more women a year to have a cervical screening.