Offering self-sampling kits for cervical cancer during GP visits greatly increases the chances that women who are overdue will take part in screening, a new study shows. The research, led by Queen Mary University of London and King’s College London, highlights the impact of handing out these kits in person during routine appointments.
More than half of the women who received a kit while visiting their GP for another reason used the kit and returned a sample. If this approach were used across England, researchers estimate that up to 1,000 cervical cancer cases could be prevented every year.
Soon, people in England who have missed their cervical screening will be offered HPV self-testing kits by mail. This will allow them to screen for cervical cancer at home without undergoing an internal exam.
Study Design and Key Results
The study involved 13 GP practices in West London. Around 12,000 women who were overdue for cervical screening took part. The practices were split into two groups. One group offered self-sampling kits in person during any type of GP visit. The other group did not.
In the in-person group, if a woman was at least six months overdue, her doctor or nurse offered her a kit during a routine appointment. In another part of the study, women 15 months overdue were randomly divided into three groups: one received no communication, one was sent a kit by mail, and one got a letter offering the kit.
The results were clear. Of 449 women offered a kit in-person, 234 (52%) returned a completed test. Among those who received a kit in the mail, only 12% returned it. For those who got a letter offering a kit, the return rate was just 5%.
Professor Peter Sasieni, the lead researcher, explained that while in-person offers were more effective on an individual basis, the postal strategy reached more people overall. This shows that combining both methods could lead to the best outcomes.
Screening Still Vital for Older Women
“Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers,” said Professor Sasieni. “Women born before 1990 didn’t get the HPV vaccine. But they can cut their risk by up to 90% with regular screening.”
In 2024, only 66% of eligible people in England were up to date with cervical screening. In previous years, participation was as high as 80%. Cervical screening is key to reducing cancer cases—about 3,300 women in the UK are diagnosed each year. Without screening, that number could rise to 8,300.
Vaccination against HPV in adolescence is highly effective at preventing cervical cancer, but for those not vaccinated at a young age, screening remains the best protection.
Voices from the Field
Dr. Anita Lim, Chief Investigator of the YouScreen trial and epidemiologist at King’s College London, said the results show how self-sampling can modernize the screening process. “Women want choices in how and when they get screened,” she said. “Offering kits in person makes it easier and removes some of the barriers.”
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, agreed. “Almost a third of eligible people tell us they’re overdue for screening,” she noted. “That’s often due to discomfort, embarrassment, or time constraints. Offering kits during GP appointments is a smart step forward.”
She also reminded people that cervical screening is for those without symptoms. “If you notice unusual changes, don’t wait. Talk to your doctor.”
A Model for Other Health Systems
The study’s findings are especially relevant for countries like the UK and Australia, where general practitioners play a central role in health care. Researchers suggest that giving out kits during GP visits can be an efficient and trusted way to reach more people.
The takeaway: when it comes to boosting screening rates and preventing cervical cancer, sometimes a simple, face-to-face offer of help makes the biggest difference.
Related topics:
India Approves Nationwide Rollout of Cervical Cancer Vaccine
Canadian Approval for Pembrolizumab Combo in Cervical Cancer
