IMPORTANT: Due to recent laboratory policy revisions, the procedures for the at-home HPV kits have changed.  If you purchased an at-home kit before December 2006, please contact Breakspear Pathology before submitting samples.

At-home HPV Testing Kits

Breakspear Hospital offers a discreet, easy to use at-home human papilloma virus (HPV) testing kit. The At-Home HPV Testing is a basic screen that will show whether you have HPV, which can be a precursor to the development of cervical cancer.

Prices for the At-Home HPV Testing Kit start at £45*. 

Detecting and treating HPV early can prevent cervical cancer.

The at-home kit uses a small swab that you insert when you are not menstruating. After fully inserting the swab, you then remove it, mix it with a ThinPrep PAP liquid and then place it in a culture tube. Post the package with the pre-addressed label as soon as you can and the results will be returned within 14 days. The results will include a letter that will detail whether or not you tested positive for HPV. (See the section titled Facts About Cervical Health Screening for more information about the connection between HPV and cervical cancer.)

If HPV is present, we would recommend an additional test to be completed or you may wish to make an appointment to have a full cervical screening with us, or your GP or gynaecologist.

There are many different types of HPV and the different types are identified by the DNA they contain. With the at-home kit, we are looking for early detection of HPV DNA. (NHS cervical screens do not usually look for this.) Strains of this virus that are considered to be high-risk are: 16, 18, 31, 33 and 45.

When HPV becomes aggressive (oncogenic), the expression of the HPV shows a genetic component called mRNA e6/7. If HPV is present in your results and you wish to complete the second and third phases of testing, we will measure the specific types of HPV, DNA and mRNA present. The test results will show whether the levels of HPV are at high-risk levels for development of cervical cancer.

To order At-Home Testing Kit, please print out and complete the pink "Order Form for HPV Testing Kit 1" and return by mail to the hospital. 

To request an HPV information package to be mailed to you, email or telephone Pathology 01442 867 286 . And of course, all these documents may be collected in person at the hospital during opening hours.

You can print your own copy of our HPV information leaflet Time for a cervical health screen?, which provides more information about our services, frequently asked questions, more details about HPV and genital warts. Note: some at-home testing kit procedures have changed since the time of printing of this information leaflet.

Note: The at-home kits do not test for Candida, trichomonas and other vaginal abnormalities. Under normal circumstances, we recommend a comprehensive cervical screen routinely every 3 years. If you have any irregular bleeding or concerns, an immediate full cervical screen is recommended.

*Breakspear Medical Group reserves the right to alter prices without notice.