Millions of women in England who have not attended cervical screening appointments will be sent at-home testing kits for free on the NHS.
The move has been described as a “gamechanger”, offering a “discreet and convenient option” to encourage more women to get screened.
The kits contain a swab, which is used to collect a sample from the vagina.
This is then posted back to NHS labs for free, where it is tested for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
If high-risk HPV is detected, patients will then be asked to attend a cervical screening appointment with a clinician.
HPV is a group of viruses which can be passed on through sexual contact and cause no symptoms.
However, around 13 high-risk types of the virus are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers.
Eligible women aged between 30 and 65, who have not attended screening appointments, will be sent invitations from today through the NHS app, text message, email or by letter.
They will then be able to order a kit through the NHS app or online.
The phased rollout forms part of the NHS’s target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.
Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director for women’s health at NHS England, said: “Screening saves thousands of lives each year by preventing cancers and catching them earlier, but only around two thirds of women are attending cervical screening appointments when invited by the NHS.
“Offering millions of women an alternative test they can do from the comfort of their own homes will be a gamechanger – making it easier than ever for them to get tested for HPV.”
Women aged between 24 and 64 are invited for cervical screening every five years, or more often if HPV is detected.
Latest figures from NHS England show 68.8% of eligible women are up to date with cervical screening, below the 80% target.
The health service estimates this means around four million women are not up to date.