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The aim of cancer screening is:
The screening tests do not give a definite diagnosis, but identify individuals who may be at higher risk and offer them further investigations. In the UK, the government has set up three cancer screening programmes which are nationally co-coordinated:
All women from the age of 50 are offered a breast X-ray, known as a Mammogram, to detect early breast cancer. The test is repeated every 3 years. The national programme invites all women between the ages of 50-70 years in a rolling programme according to their registered GP practice and health authority.
Women over the age of 70 are entitled to screening, although they do not receive a routine invitation. Please contact your GP and they will advise on how to make an appointment.
Breast screening does not detect all cases of early cancer. Women are urged to be aware of any changes in their breasts and to contact their doctor if concerned. Find out more information on the NHS Breast Awareness website.
Women from the ages of 25-65 years are routinely invited for cervical screening every three years. Although the starting age for cervical cancer screening invitations is 25 years, we advise that you should start having cervical smears within 3 years of becoming sexually active.
The screening test, or “smear test,” involves taking a sample of cells from the neck of the womb, known as the cervix. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument called a speculum into a woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to take a sample of cells.
Early detection and treatment can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers developing, but it is not perfect. It does not always detect changes that could lead to cancer. There are several known factors that increase your risk of cervical cancer, including human pappilloma virus (HPV) infection and smoking.
In 2009, the government introduced a HPV immunisation programme aimed at protecting girls between 12-13 years before exposure. Details of this programme can be accessed here. You should always inform your doctor if you have any concerns about abnormal vaginal bleeding.
About 1 in 20 people will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. It is the third most common cancer in the UK. Bowel cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risks of dying from bowel cancer by 16%.
Screening is offered to all men and women between 60-69 years of age, every two years. The screening test used is a FOB (faecal occult blood) test. The test works by detecting tiny traces of blood in the stools, which are not normally visible. The test does not diagnose cancer, but is an indication for further tests.
Bowel symptoms, which could be suggestive of bowel cancer, include blood in the stools, a change in your bowel habit (either diarrhoea or significant new constipation) and anaemia. Please consult your GP if you have any concerns.
For more detailed information about the NHS cancer screening programmes, please refer to their website.
