Carmel Medical Centre has been selected to take part in an important study to test the use of self-sampling in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England. Self-sampling is a new method that is being considered for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme; this test can be completed at home and if implemented in the programme could increase access to screening for many people.
Before self-sampling can be offered as part of routine screening, it needs to be tested to ensure that the results are as accurate as the results from a sample taken by a doctor or nurse.
HPValidate is a study that is being led by Public Health England which will compare self-taken samples with samples taken by a doctor or nurse. This will help the NHS Cervical Screening Programme to decide what device/s could be used for HPV self-sampling in the future.
Over the next few weeks we will be inviting patients who are due for routine cervical screening (smear test) to take part in this study; participants will be asked to use one of the self-tests before having their sample taken by the doctor or nurse. If you receive an invitation letter with information about the study please talk to your doctor or nurse when you come in for your appointment and they will be able to provide you with further information.