HPV self-testing kits – Your questions answered

1. When will HPV self-testing kits be available?
NHS England began rolling out HPV self-testing on Tuesday 25 August 2026.
2. Who can order the HPV self-testing kits?
If you are eligible, you will be invited by the NHS to order an HPV self-test kit.
Invitations are initially limited to an eligible group of women and people with a cervix aged 30 to 65, who have not attended cervical screening following previous invitations. This is in line with the UKNSC recommendation.
3. How many people will be invited to take part in HPV self-testing?
HPV self-testing will be rolled out in phases. The initial phase will be limited to an eligible group of women and people with a cervix who at the time of roll-out have not attended cervical screening following previous invitations. They expect to send out around 4 million invitations in this phase.
4. What is the criteria for eligibility?
This initial offer is limited to an eligible group, identified at the time of roll-out, of women and people with a cervix who have not attended cervical screening following previous routine invitations.
5. Why is it restricted to this group only?
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
The NHS don’t yet have the evidence to show that switching to HPV self-testing is as effective at preventing cervical cancer as regularly attending cervical screening. But if you haven’t been screened, self-testing is the next best option.
As part of this initial phase, they are evaluating how best to deliver this offer, inviting an eligible cohort of around 4 million women and people with a cervix who have not attended cervical screening following previous routine invitations.
6. How can I order a kit?
The NHS will invite you to take part in HPV self-testing. Your invite could come through the NHS App, in a text message (SMS), an email or a letter.
Once you’ve got your invite, follow the instructions to order your free kit in the NHS App or through your NHS online account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one or use the telephone order line. Your invitation also includes information about other ways to order a kit.
7. Is HPV self-testing as good as a clinician taken cervical screening?
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
The NHS does not yet have the evidence to show that switching to HPV self-testing is as effective at preventing cervical cancer as regularly attending cervical screening. But if you haven’t been screened, self-testing is the next best option.
Further studies to consider whether self-testing could be rolled out for all women and people with a cervix, are planned.
8. How does the HPV self-testing kit work?
A sample of cells will be self-collected from the vagina, using a swab, a bit like a cotton bud. This is a different method to a cervical screening where a clinician takes a sample from the cervix. The self-testing method checks for the presence of high- risk HPV only. People who test positive for high-risk HPV will still need to go for a clinician taken sample to get cytology (an examination of the cells of their cervix). Full details about how to take an HPV self-test will be included in the kit that you receive and a video is available.
9. What’s the difference between cervical screening and HPV self-testing?
Cervical screening
• Takes place at your GP surgery or sexual health clinic.
• A nurse or doctor takes a small sample from your cervix.
• The sample is checked for high-risk HPV.
• If high-risk HPV is found, the sample is then checked for cell changes that could increase the risk of cervical cancer.
• These changes can be treated.
HPV self-testing
• You take your own sample at home or in a private space.
• The test involves inserting a swab (a bit like a cotton bud) a few centimetres into your vagina to collect a sample. There are full instructions in the kit.
• You then post the sample back to the NHS for free, where it is checked for high-risk HPV.
• If high-risk HPV is found, you’ll be asked to book a cervical screening appointment at your GP surgery or sexual health clinic.
• A nurse or doctor will take a small sample from your cervix that can be checked for cell changes that could increase the risk of cervical cancer.
• These changes can be treated.
10. If high-risk HPV is found in my sample, why do I need to go for a cervical screening with my clinician?
HPV self-testing only looks for the presence of high-risk HPV. It does not look for any cell changes that might lead to cancer, if left untreated.
If high-risk HPV is found, it does not mean you have cervical cancer. You’ll be asked to book a cervical screening appointment at your GP surgery or sexual health clinic where a nurse or doctor will take a small sample from your cervix. This will be checked for cell changes that could increase the risk of cervical cancer. These changes can be treated.
11. How will HPV self-testing be offered?
Anyone who is eligible will initially be contacted via the NHS App. They will be able to request an HPV self-testing kit and receive it through the post. If the person does not have the NHS App, the invitation will be sent using another form of communication, to ensure no one is excluded. We encourage people to download the NHS App and ensure notifications are switched on.
12. I need additional help with my HPV self-test. What should I do?
The instructions in the kit will tell you how to do the test. If you need any extra help – for example, if you have a physical or learning disability – support is available. You’ll find contact details in your kit instructions.
13. I’ve received an invitation for HPV self-testing but am no longer getting invitations to cervical screening. Why is this?
If your routine cervical screening is due on or after your 60th birthday and you do not attend, you will receive confirmation that you will no longer receive routine invitations. You may still receive an invitation to request an HPV self-testing kit if you are aged 30 to 65.
14. What if I don’t want to do the self-testing?
You can still book a cervical screening appointment any time – even if you were invited for cervical screening months or years ago.
If your routine cervical screening is due on or after your 60th birthday and you do not attend, you will receive confirmation that you will no longer receive routine invitations. You may receive an invitation to request an HPV self-testing kit.
Find out more at nhs.uk/cervicalscreening/
15. I’ve had the HPV vaccine. Do I still need to take the HPV self-test if invited?
The vaccine doesn’t protect against all HPV types. Even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, you should still go for cervical screening appointments or, if invited, take an HPV self-test.
If you are under 25 and missed your HPV vaccine when you were 12 or 13, contact your GP surgery to get vaccinated.
16. How effective/reliable is the kit in identifying high-risk HPV?
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. The NHS do not yet have the evidence to show that switching to HPV self-testing is as effective at preventing cervical cancer as regularly attending cervical screening. But if you haven’t been screened, self-testing is the next best option. Further studies to consider whether self-testing could be rolled out for all women and people with a cervix, are planned.
17. Can I opt in to have a self-test kit?
No, you will be invited to take part if you are eligible.
18. Can someone else order an HPV self-test kit for me?
HPV self-testing kits can only be ordered by the person who has been invited. If you have been invited, you can order your kit through the NHS App or by calling the helpline number provided in your invitation.
19. If I receive a high-risk HPV positive result from an HPV self-test, can I go for a cervical screen at a sexual health clinic?
Yes. The HPV self-test shows if you have got high-risk HPV. A high-risk HPV positive result does not mean you have cancer. A cervical screen taken by a clinician will help to see if the HPV is causing any abnormal cell changes which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer.
20. I can’t do the HPV test myself. Can I go to my GP to help me do it?
The instructions in the kit will tell you how to do the test. If you need any extra help – for example, if you have a physical or learning disability – support is available. You’ll find contact details in your self-test kit instructions.