Developing a self-sample test for cervical screening
Recruitment to this study has now closed. The below is for information only.
The Alternative Cervical Screening (ACES) Choice study is exploring the possibility of using samples taken by people at home as an alternative to current cervical screening.
The project is run by The University of Manchester and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Please return your sample by Sunday 30 November 2025.
Why this study is taking place
3 out of 10 people choose not to attend their cervical screening appointment, or delay attending.
This can be for a number of reasons such as the potential discomfort or pain whilst having an intimate procedure, embarrassment or fear of the experience, or lack of time to attend the appointment.
An at home self-sampling kit for cervical screening could help solve these issues.
Home self-sampling kits:
- are easy to use;
- can be taken in privacy at your own pace;
- can be taken at a time and place that is most comfortable and convenient for you;
- can be returned in the post.
We want to see:
- if being able to collect a sample at home would encourage more people to take part in cervical screening;
- how people feel about providing a sample they can take themselves and their preferences for future tests.
What is cervical screening?
Cervical screening, also known as the smear test, can be life-saving. It is usually undertaken by health professionals in GP practices and clinics.
It involves collecting cells from the cervix (opening of the womb), which are tested for a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).
If HPV is detected, the sample is checked for changes in the cells. If abnormal cells are found, they can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
What is self-sampling for cervical screening?
Self-sampling does not require a medical appointment. It enables you to take your own sample at a time and place that suits you. The collection kit would be sent to your home address, and you can return the sample through the post for HPV testing. For this study you can choose to collect either a urine (wee) sample or a vaginal sample.
How accurate is self-sampling?
Routine cervical screening picks up around 95 out of every 100 cervical pre-cancers.
Vaginal self-sampling is already being used as an alternative to routine cervical screening in some national screening programmes, including Australia and the Netherlands. Urine self-sampling is a newer test and there is less evidence about how well it performs for cervical pre-cancer detection.
From what we know so far, vaginal and urine self-sampling may be slightly less accurate than routine cervical screening, picking up around 90 to 94 cervical pre-cancers out of every 100. Through ongoing research, we hope to understand the real world performance of the tests better and optimise the testing process to improve their accuracy.
No screening test is 100% effective. This is because HPV infection can sometimes be missed. If HPV is not found this does not guarantee that abnormal cells will never develop in the future. Regardless of your research sample test result, we encourage you to go for routine cervical screening at your GP practice as this is currently the only way to get follow up treatment if needed.
Take part in the study
Recruitment to this study has now closed. The below is for information only.
To take part, you need to request a kit using the online form. The kit will be posted to your home address. It is free and contains everything you need to take part. It allows you to take your own sample at a time and place that is best for you.
It will take around 15 minutes to take part. Once you receive the kit, you would:
- Fill in a consent form to confirm you are happy to take part.
- Collect a sample in the comfort of your home.
- Fill in a questionnaire.
- Post the sample, completed consent form and questionnaire in the free return box back to the study team.
Please return your sample by Sunday 30 November 2025.
For more information about taking part in the study, please read the participant information sheet.
Eligibility to take part
Recruitment to this study has now closed. The below is for information only.
You can take part in this study if you are overdue a routine cervical screening by six months or more.
You cannot take part in the study if you are pregnant, have had a baby in the last three months, or are up to date with cervical screening.
Taking part in the study does not replace routine cervical screening and will not update your NHS cervical screening record. You can take part in this study and still have your cervical screening afterward. You are strongly encouraged to contact your GP to attend your cervical screening, as this protects against cervical cancer.
Collecting your sample
You can request either a urine (wee sample) or a vaginal self-sampling kit.
Most people find collecting a sample easy and convenient to do, and don’t find it uncomfortable or painful. Written instructions will be included in the kit.
How to collect a urine sample
If you request a urine self-sampling kit, you’ll receive a urine collection device called a Colli-Pee with instructions on how to use it.
Watch the video below to see how it works.
How to collect a vaginal sample
If you request a vaginal self-sampling kit, you’ll receive a special swab, like a long cotton bud, to collect your sample.
Watch the video below to see how the swab works.
Returning your sample
After you have collected your sample, you will need to send it back to us along with your completed consent form and questionnaire.
It is free to return, and you will be provided with a pre-paid postal package. You just need to put it in your nearest Royal Mail post box.
Please post your sample within two days of collection. This will help the result be as accurate as possible. If you delay posting the sample this may affect the accuracy of the result.
Please return your sample by Sunday 30 November 2025.
Sample results
Once we have received your sample, it will be tested for human papillomavirus (HPV). We will write to you and your GP with the results. You will receive either a negative or positive result.
What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus. It is estimated that 80% of people will have HPV at some point in their lives. It is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.
HPV does not cause any symptoms. Most people will fight off HPV naturally (like we flight off a cold). However, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types may cause abnormal cells to develop on the cervix.
HPV is easy to catch. Many HPV types affect the throat, mouth and genital area. You can get HPV from vaginal, anal or oral sex; skin-to-skin contact of the genital area; or sharing sex toys. You may catch HPV with your first or any subsequent sexual partner.
What does a negative result mean?
It is unlikely that you carry HPV. However, as self-sampling is not officially recognised in the NHS cervical screening programme, we would still encourage you to book a routine cervical screening test with your GP or sexual health clinic.
What does a positive result mean?
HPV has been detected and you may be at risk of cervical abnormalities.
We would strongly encourage you to book a routine cervical screening test with your GP or a sexual health clinic. This will confirm whether HPV is present and a follow-up can be arranged to pick up and treat any abnormal cervical cells as soon as possible.
If you are transgender or non-binary, and would prefer to visit a gender neutral cervical screening service, an up-to-date list of these can be found on the OUTpatients website.
These clinics can offer longer appointments and additional therapies and techniques to help ease discomfort or dysphoria, and make a smear test more manageable.
What does an inadequate result mean?
Occasionally a sample may be called ‘inadequate’. This may be due to a technical problem, for example, and does not mean your sample is abnormal. It is nothing to worry about. If this happens, we will ask you to collect a second sample.
Can I be treated for HPV?
There is currently no effective treatment for HPV infection. We can, however, treat abnormal cells on the cervix that result from HPV infection. This treatment is effective and prevents the cells from developing into cervical cancer.
Data collection
The project team will evaluate the success of the project by collecting data on all individuals who are invited to take part.
All data collected during the course of the research would be kept strictly confidential and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you do not wish to have your data processed in this way, please contact us as soon as possible. If you do not contact us to opt out, your information may be processed as described.
Contact us
If you would like further information about our study, please get in touch:
- Email ACES@manchester.ac.uk
Contact Us
+44 (0) 161 306 6000
