Self-Sampling Kits Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Participation

A recent study led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and King's College London has found that offering self-sampling kits during routine general practitioner (GP) appointments significantly increases participation in cervical cancer screening among women overdue for their tests. The study, published in July 2025 in the journal EClinicalMedicine, reveals that over half of the women who received a self-sampling kit during an unrelated GP visit returned the sample, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in boosting screening rates.

The importance of cervical cancer screening cannot be overstated; it is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. According to Dr. Anita Lim, Lead Epidemiologist and Chief Investigator of the YouScreen trial at King's College London, "Cervical cancer is the most preventable of cancers. Women born before 1990 will not benefit from HPV vaccination, but they can reduce their risk by 80-90% if they get screened regularly."

The study involved 13 GP practices in West London, with approximately 6,000 women who were overdue for cervical screening. These practices were divided into two groups: one group was offered self-sampling kits during their GP visits, while the other was not. The results indicated that 52% of the women who were opportunistically offered a self-sampling kit accepted and returned a sample, compared to only 12% and 5% for those who received kits by mail or through letters, respectively. This suggests that in-person offerings of self-sampling kits are more effective in encouraging participation in screenings.

Professor Peter Sasieni, Senior Researcher at Queen Mary University, emphasized that the combination of in-person offers and postal communications may be the most effective strategy for enhancing cervical cancer screening rates. "This study reinforces that many women welcome the option of self-sampling, particularly when it is presented by a trusted healthcare professional," he stated.

The implications of these findings are particularly significant given that cervical cancer diagnoses in the UK number around 3,300 annually, a figure that could increase significantly without effective screening. In 2024, only 66% of those eligible for screening were up to date, a notable drop from previous years when participation rates were above 80%. Fiona Osgun, Head of Health Information at Cancer Research UK, commented on the need for innovative approaches: "Cervical screening can prevent cervical cancer, but almost a third of people in the UK report being overdue for their appointment. This study shows that offering these kits during GP appointments could be part of an effective approach to making screening more accessible."

Moreover, the rollout of home-testing kits for HPV in England aims to provide greater flexibility for those overdue for cervical screening. This initiative aligns with the study’s findings, which advocate for modernizing cervical screening practices to enhance participation.

In summary, the integration of self-sampling kits into routine GP visits represents a promising strategy to improve cervical cancer screening rates among women. As healthcare systems strive to prevent cervical cancer effectively, leveraging the insights from this study could play a critical role in enhancing public health outcomes across the UK and beyond.