Screening

NHS cancer screening programmes can help to diagnose cancer or risk of cancer earlier and improve the likelihood of successful treatment. If you are eligible, please make every  effort to have your screening test. Screening tests can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.

If you notice any worrying signs, symptoms or changes that are not normal for you, please do not wait for a screening invitation – go and see your GP. There are three national cancer screening programmes in England: Cervical, Breast and Bowel.

1)   Cervical screening

The NHS cervical screening programme in England is offered to people with a cervix aged from 25 to 64. Routine screening is offered every three years up to 49 years of age and every five years from 50 to 64 years of age. After 65 you will only be recalled if a recent test was abnormal.

If you’re 65 or older and have never been for cervical screening or have not had cervical screening since the age of 50, you can ask your GP for a test. You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter but if you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.