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Screening is a way of finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions. There are a number of NHS screening programmes currently offered in England to different areas of the population:
Cervical screening - is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix, and help prevent cervical cancer. During the screening, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix and checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. If changes are found, they can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
Breast screening - is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. It uses X-rays, called mammograms, to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel. Most people who have a breast screening will have no sign of cancer, however if there are signs, finding it early means treatment is more likely to be successful.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening - is offered to all men over the age of 64, or those assigned male at birth over 64 also. It is a test carried out by an ultrasound scan of the tummy, to check for a swelling in the aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the abdomen. If detected early, it can be monitored and treated, if needed, so it's less likely to burst (rupture), which can be life threatening.
Bowel cancer screening - is offered to everyone aged 54 to 74. It uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your poo. This could be a sign of bowel cancer. The sample is collected at home and then sent off to test. If blood is found, further tests may be required such as a colonoscopy where a camera is used to check inside your bowel. Screening can spot bowel cancer at an early stage, when it’s most likely to treatable.
Screening can detect any issues early on, even before you are having symptoms, which can mean that treatment is more effective and you have an increased chance of beating the condition, or reduce the chance of if developing.
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