Description
Home HPV Test – Cervical Cancer Screening
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is extremely common. Most HPV infections clear naturally without causing any problems, but persistent infection with certain high-risk types of HPV is responsible for almost all cervical cancers.
HPV testing is now the primary test used in cervical screening.
Our Home HPV Test allows you to collect your own vaginal sample privately and conveniently at home, without needing a speculum examination or clinic appointment.
Your kit is sent directly to your home. Once you have collected your sample, you use the prepaid tracked return packaging to send it directly to the specialist UK laboratory.
Your result is then reviewed by a Consultant at Innermost Healthcare, with advice about any further assessment that may be appropriate.
What is included?
The service includes:
- the HPV self-collection kit;
- tracked delivery of the kit to your home;
- prepaid tracked return postage directly to the laboratory;
- specialist UK laboratory analysis;
- testing for 19 high-risk HPV DNA types;
- separate reporting of HPV 16 and HPV 18;
- Consultant review of your laboratory result; and
- advice about appropriate follow-up if high-risk HPV is detected.
There are no additional laboratory or return-postage charges for the standard testing pathway.
What does the Home HPV Test look for?
The test looks for DNA from 19 high-risk HPV types associated with an increased chance of developing cervical cell changes.
Your result is reported as:
- HPV 16 detected
- HPV 18 detected
- Other high-risk HPV detected
- High-risk HPV not detected
HPV 16 and HPV 18 are identified separately because these are particularly important high-risk HPV types.
How does the test work?
After ordering:
- Your HPV self-sampling kit is prepared and sent directly to your home.
- You collect a vaginal sample yourself using the supplied Qvintip self-sampling device.
- You place the sample into the supplied collection tube and return packaging.
- You use the prepaid tracked return service to send the sample directly to the laboratory.
- The specialist laboratory tests the sample for high-risk HPV DNA.
- Your result is reviewed by a Consultant at Innermost Healthcare.
- We provide your result together with advice about any appropriate next steps.
Laboratory analysis usually takes approximately 3 working days from receipt of your sample by the laboratory.
How to collect your sample
The test uses the Qvintip vaginal self-sampling device.
Before collecting your sample, watch this short instructional video showing how to use the Qvintip device:
Please also read and follow the written instructions supplied with your kit.
Official TDL KT364 HPV self-collection instructions:
The written instructions supplied with your individual kit should always take precedence if there are any differences between general video guidance and the current kit instructions.
Is this a home smear test?
No.
You may see HPV self-sampling described as a “home smear test” or “smear test at home”, but there is an important difference.
A conventional cervical screening or smear test involves a healthcare professional using a speculum to see the cervix and taking a sample directly from the cervix.
The Home HPV Test instead uses a self-collected vaginal sample. It can detect high-risk HPV but does not collect cervical cells for cytology and does not involve examination of the cervix.
If you would prefer a clinician-taken cervical screening test, please see our:
Cervical Screening Test Cardiff (Smear Test)
You can also read our detailed:
Cervical Screening & Smear Test Guide
What happens if high-risk HPV is not detected?
A not detected result means that none of the high-risk HPV types included in the test were detected in your sample.
This is reassuring because persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the principal cause of cervical cancer.
However, private HPV testing should not be considered a substitute for medical assessment if you have symptoms, and you should continue to participate in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme when invited.
What happens if high-risk HPV is detected?
A positive HPV result does not mean that you have cervical cancer.
HPV infection is very common and many infections clear naturally.
If high-risk HPV is detected, the appropriate next step depends on factors including:
- whether HPV 16 or HPV 18 has been detected;
- your age;
- your previous cervical screening history;
- previous HPV or cytology results; and
- your individual clinical circumstances.
Because a home HPV sample is collected from the vagina, there are no cervical cells available for cytology.
You may therefore need a clinician-taken cervical sample and, where appropriate, further assessment or referral.
Your result will be reviewed by a Consultant at Innermost Healthcare, and we will advise you about the appropriate next step.
Home HPV testing or clinic cervical screening?
Home HPV Test
- Sample collected privately at home
- No speculum examination
- No clinic visit required to collect the sample
- Tests for 19 high-risk HPV types
- HPV 16 and HPV 18 reported separately
- No cervical cells collected
- Cytology cannot be performed from the home sample
- Tracked delivery to your home
- Prepaid tracked return to the laboratory
- Laboratory analysis included
- Consultant result review included
Clinic Cervical Screening
- Sample taken by a healthcare professional
- Speculum examination
- Cervix directly visualised
- Cervical sample collected
- High-risk HPV testing
- Cytology can be performed from the original cervical sample when indicated
- Medical review included
Who might consider a Home HPV Test?
Home HPV self-sampling may be particularly useful if you:
- would prefer to collect your own sample in privacy;
- find speculum examinations uncomfortable or difficult;
- have delayed or avoided cervical screening because of concerns about the examination;
- would like private HPV testing;
- would like to know your high-risk HPV status; or
- value the convenience of testing at home.
This service is particularly relevant to adults within the usual cervical screening age range. In Wales, routine NHS cervical screening is offered to eligible people aged 25 to 64.
If you are outside the routine screening age range, have previously abnormal cervical screening results, are under colposcopy follow-up, or are unsure whether this test is appropriate for you, please seek individual clinical advice.
Important – symptoms need medical assessment
The Home HPV Test is a screening test for high-risk HPV. It is not a diagnostic test for cervical cancer.
Do not rely on a home HPV test to investigate symptoms.
Please seek appropriate medical assessment if you have symptoms such as:
- bleeding after sex;
- bleeding between periods;
- unexpected bleeding after the menopause;
- persistent unusual vaginal discharge; or
- persistent unexplained pelvic pain.
These symptoms have many possible causes and do not necessarily mean cervical cancer, but they should be assessed appropriately.
Does this replace NHS cervical screening?
No.
A private Home HPV Test does not replace your entitlement to NHS cervical screening.
We encourage everyone who is eligible to participate in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme when invited.
Specialist laboratory testing with Consultant review
Your sample is analysed by a specialist UK laboratory using a high-risk HPV DNA test designed for self-collected vaginal samples.
The test detects 19 high-risk HPV types, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.
The service does not end with an isolated laboratory result. Your result is reviewed by a Consultant at Innermost Healthcare, and if high-risk HPV is detected we will provide advice about appropriate follow-up.
Everything you need is included
Kit → tracked delivery → prepaid tracked return → laboratory testing → Consultant review → follow-up advice
There are no separate charges for the standard laboratory test or return postage.
Innermost Healthcare