NHS England introduced HPV self-sampling to increase cervical screening uptake, prompting laboratories to plan for changes in sample volumes and types.
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Experts said clinician-taken samples remain the gold standard because trained professionals collect samples directly from the cervix.
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A BMJ Open study estimated that AI-assisted digital cytology could reduce slide-review time by 69%, with productivity gains of 76% in primary screening and 64% in consultant review.
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AI-assisted review can identify cells for closer assessment, while biomedical scientists and cytopathologists retain decision-making and focus on complex cases, quality assurance, and training.
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Safe implementation at scale requires digital infrastructure, secure image sharing, system integration, training, validation, quality assurance, and governance.
