While a few women look forward to their cervical screening tests, some completely avoid the procedure, because they find it painful, distressing or just embarrassing.
Those women are starting to be able to do their own checks to cut their cancer risk, without setting foot in a clinic, because of several advances.
In the biggest change, DIY tests using a vaginal swab have started being offered by some GPs to women who are overdue for the standard screening test. Health chiefs are also considering offering self-testing for anyone who wants it.
Shorts
New testing methods are also in the works that can check for cancer risk using menstrual blood.
