The detection of early symptoms of cervical cancer at home is now possible with home smear test kits which could aid women who feel uncomfortable or embarrassed in visiting a doctor for diagnosis or owing to their busy schedule or other reasons.

The Cancer Research UK, in a study, found that women are more comfortable in taking home test instead of visiting the GP. Fifteen hundred women were sent the human papilloma virus (HPV) self testing kits by the team of researchers while another group of same number of women who have their test forthcoming were sent reminder notifications.

The total of 68 women in second group went for diagnosis of cervical cancer after third reminder was sent to them whereas 96 women in first group used the home smear test kits.

Dr. Anne Szarewski, the author of study, has assured that the accuracy of HPV home tests is same as that of samples taken by a doctor and said that it could assist in sorting out the reasons or removing inhibitions among women relating to doctor visit.

She also said that women should be persuaded to go for cervical screening as avoiding the same could pose serious problem in future.