However the new “non-invasive” test developed by scientists in Japan could help to boost uptake if made widely available.
The urine tests developed by researchers at Waseda University look for oncoproteins, which are a group of proteins that can lead to the development of cancer if a large number are present.
Research suggests that this could be a more accurate predictor of developing cervical cancer compared with the presence of HPV DNA.
The test detects E7 proteins which are generated by the high-risk strain HPV 16, one of two strains linked to 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases.
Trials found the urine test successfully detected the proteins in 80 and 71 per cent of women with low-grade or moderate abnormal changes respectively.
However this dropped to 38 per cent among women with high-grade cervical changes.
Screening is a big hurdle
This could be because this specific protein plays a more significant role in early cell changes, according to the findings published in the journal Microorganisms.
Etsuro Ito, a professor from the university’s department of biology, said: “Cancer can be prevented by vaccination before it develops and by regular screening. But screening is a big hurdle for young women.
“Our new urine test can detect HPV16 E7 proteins, which are critical markers of cervical cancer risk, at extremely low levels. This means that women may be able to screen for cervical cancer without the discomfort and inconvenience of a traditional Pap test.”
A separate study by researchers at the University of Manchester found that urine testing may be as accurate at detecting HPV as standard cervical smear testing.
While research suggests women would prefer at-home urine tests to traditional smear checks, larger trials and evidence will be needed before they can be widely used.