Wales considers at-home cervical screening to boost uptake
At-home cervical screening could be introduced in Wales later this year in a bid to reach women who rarely or never take up their offer of screening, Health Minister Jeremy Miles has confirmed.
In Wales, women aged between 25 and 64 are invited every five years for cervical screening, which checks for high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). While most people will come into contact with the virus at some point in their lives, only certain strains can increase a person’s risk of developing cervical cancer.
According to Public Health Wales, around 160 cases of cervical cancer are recorded every year. It is the most common cancer in women under the age of 35.
In a bid to increase uptake of screening in Wales, Cervical Screening Wales is considering a self-collected sample model to help reduce barriers to participation for those who find it difficult to access traditional screening appointments. Health officials hope the move will increase uptake among under-screened groups.
The health minister has also outlined plans to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccination in Wales, which has dropped since the pandemic.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set a target for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15, helping to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
In a bid to improve uptake, health boards across Wales delivered more than 1,400 additional HPV vaccinations in 2025, including targeted work in schools where coverage is lower. Further catch-up sessions are planned over the next 12 months.
The latest figures from the Welsh Government show that the number of new cervical cancer cases has fallen from an average of 164 per year in 2002-04 to 149 in 2020-22. The incidence rate has also decreased from 10.8 to 9.4 per 100,000 people.
The number of deaths has fallen from an average of 61 per year in 2002-04 to 54 in 2020-22, while the European age-standardised mortality rate has dropped from 4.1 to 3.2 per 100,000 people over the same period.
Health Minister Jeremy Miles said that despite the figures showing long-term improvements in both incidence and mortality, further progress is to increase vaccination and screening levels are needed to help prevent more cases.
“Our approach to improving cancer treatment and survival includes a comprehensive set of actions, including prevention, early detection, and timely access to high-quality treatment,” said the minister.
“We encourage everyone who is eligible to take up their offer of HPV vaccination or cervical screening.
“In the years ahead, continuing to improve access to treatment, vaccination and screening will improve outcomes for women throughout Wales.”
More information about cervical screening and eligibility can be found here.
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