Cervical screening during lockdown: Don’t fear the smear!

Once again, the UK is in lockdown with the National Health Service under worrying strain, resulting in non-urgent services being cancelled or postponed. We are already seeing the impact of the first lockdown, with many people having missed cancer screening appointments and a huge backlog still to get through. It is essential that this doesn’t happen again!

Cervical cancer is almost 100% preventable if you attend regular screening for the human papillomavirus (HPV). One of the highest risks of dying from cervical cancer is to miss participating in screening which is extremely successful for early detection. Smear tests can be scary at the best of times, so if you are still waiting for a postponed smear test from last year, or you’re worried about one that’s due, there are other options.

Check4Cancer’s at home HPV screening test is still available in spite of the national lockdown and you can carry out the test without having to leave your home. This is a far more convenient, private, and efficient way to screen all women aged 25 years and above who should have regular HPV testing high on their health checking priority list. It is also key during lockdown, where minimising trips to health services whilst also maximising cancer screening, is essential.

HPV is responsible for 99.7% of all cervical cancers. With an at-home HPV test, approximately 10% of those tested will test positive for HPV and proceed to a traditional smear test. This means that the vast majority of women who self-test in the privacy and comfort of their own home can avoid visiting the GP or hospital altogether.

Order an HPVCheck test kit today and it will be delivered direct to your door. You can then conduct the five-minute test and return your sample to our laboratory by freepost and receive your results within one week.

Don’t let lockdown or apprehension about a cervical smear put you off what could be a life-saving test. Order your HPVCheck test today.