National screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer aim to detect the very early signs of cancer. By identifying and treating cancer earlier and stopping it spreading, we hope to reduce the need for aggressive treatments and increase people’s chances of survival.
- Bowel cancer screening – a home testing kit is offered to all men and women aged 60 to 74
- Breast screening – is offered to all women aged 50 to 70 every three years.
- Cervical screening – is offered to women aged 25 to 64. It is offered every three years for those aged 26 to 49 and every five years for those aged 50 to 64
Screening does not guarantee protection but it can:
- save lives or improve the quality of life through early identification
- reduce the chance of developing a serious condition or complications
Screening Results
If you get a normal result, after a screening test, this means you are at a low risk of having the condition you were screened for. This does not mean you will never develop the condition in the future, just that you are low risk at the moment.
If you have a higher-risk result, it means that you may have the condition that you’ve been tested for. At this point, you will be offered further diagnostic tests to confirm if you have the condition. You can then be offered treatment, advice and support if necessary.
The doctors and nurses at Nevells Road Surgery urge all patients to take up the offer of the cancer screening tests that are offered to them.
Bowel cancer screening
The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is an NHS population screening programme.
All men and women aged 60 to 74 who are registered with a GP in England are automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every two years.
If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
NHS screening kits aren’t available for people under 60.
Visit the NHS website to find out more about bowel cancer screening and how to use the testing kit
Breast cancer screening
About 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery.
Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an x-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they’re too small to see or feel. Screening is carried out at a special clinic or mobile breast screening unit. This is done by a female health practitioner.
As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, all women aged 50 to 70 are automatically invited for breast cancer screening every three years.
Most experts agree that regular breast screening is beneficial in identifying breast cancer early. The earlier the condition is found, the better the chances of surviving it. You’re also less likely to need a mastectomy (breast removal) or chemotherapy if breast cancer is detected at an early stage.
If you’re worried about breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump or area of thickened tissue in a breast, or you notice that your breasts look or feel different from what’s normal for you, don’t wait to be offered screening – contact the surgery and we will arrange for you to see a GP or nurse.
Cervical screening
The aim of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is to reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer and the number of women who die from the condition.
A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina.
Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.
All women who are registered with a GP are invited for cervical screening:
- aged 25 to 49 – every 3 years
- aged 50 to 64 – every 5 years
- over 65 – only women who haven’t been screened since age 50 or those who have recently had abnormal tests
Screening is usually carried out by the practice nurse at your GP clinic. You can ask to have a female doctor or nurse. The cervical screening test usually takes around 5 minutes to carry out.
When you are invited for cervical screening, try to book an appointment during the middle of your menstrual cycle (usually 14 days from the start of your last period), as this can ensure a better sample of cells is taken. It’s best to make your appointment for when you don’t have your period.
If you use a spermicide, a barrier method of contraception or a lubricant jelly, you shouldn’t use these for 24 hours before the test, as the chemicals they contain may affect the test.