I am one of many who skipped their first invite. As of December 2023, the NHS revealed only 65.8% of eligible women aged 25 – 49 went for their smear on time, leaving a third of us not attending. When I heard that at-home smear tests were finally being rolled out in England, I felt genuinely hopeful for anyone who has felt anxious, unsure, or faces other barriers to getting a test. Under the government’s upcoming 10-Year Health Plan, women and people with a cervix who haven’t yet taken up routine screening will be offered the chance to self-sample at home. The government has promised it’ll be discreet, simple, and easy to return and said it should benefit people facing cultural hurdles, people with a disability and LGBT+ communities. Looking back, I realise I would have been more likely to do my first smear if I’d had the option to do it at home (although I wondered how we would get all up in there ourselves?!). From speaking to other women, I know I’m not the only one. However, until a safe, self-administered test is made widely available, visiting your GP remains paramount.
