Screening

Bowel caner screening

  • Why is bowel screening offered?

    Bowel Cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer. Bowel screening aims to find bowel cancer early, before symptoms develop. More than 9 out of 10 people (around 90%) survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at an early stage.

    The screening kit used in England is the faecal immunochemical test kit – known as the FIT kit. It comes as an easy to use home test.

  • How to do the FIT bowel cancer screening test – Cancer Research UK

    Everyone aged 60 to 74 who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. The screening age is gradually being lowered to 50 so some people in the 50-60 age group could also receive a kit.
    If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60

    A short animation explains how to use your bowel cancer screening kit. Subtitles are available in English, as well as Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu. A British Sign Language version is also available.
    Vimeo: Using your bowel cancer screening kit

    If you have not received or misplaced the kit that was sent, you can request another simply by calling the helpline on 0800 707 60 60

  • Symptoms and Advice

    Always see a GP if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age, even if you have recently completed a NHS bowel cancer screening test kit – do not wait to have a screening test.

  • How to do the FIT bowel cancer screening test

    Your guide to the FIT bowel cancer screening test. FIT stands for faecal immunochemical test. It looks for tiny traces of blood in the poo which can be a sign of bowel cancer.

    Video
    How to do the FIT bowel cancer screening test

  • Find out more information

    Websites
    www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening

    www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/diagnostic-tests/bowel-screening

Breast cancer screening

  • NHS: Breast Screening

    NHS breast screening checks use X-rays to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel.

    Website
    www.nhs.uk/breast-screening-mammogram

  • Cancer Research: Breast Screening

    Screening aims to find breast cancers early, when they have the best chance of being cured.

    Website
    www.cancerresearchuk.org/breast-screening

  • Symptoms and Advice

    Check out the guide on examining your breasts.

    See a GP if you have any symptom of breast cancer. Even if you have recently had a clear breast screening.
    Although rare, men can get breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the chest area.

    Do not wait for your next breast screening appointment.

  • When will you be invited for breast screening?

    Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you.
    If you’re a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery or call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.

  • Breast Cancer Now

    The Research and Support Charity
    Whatever breast cancer brings, Breast Cancer Now offer help, information and support.
    Whether you’re worried about breast cancer, dealing with your diagnosis or trying to live your life with or beyond treatment – or if someone you love is. If you’re affected by breast cancer, you can turn to us.
    Our services are available in person, online, on the phone or in print – meaning you can get the support you need in the way you want. Because whatever breast cancer brings, we’re here.

    Phone
    0808 800 6000

    Website
    Breast Cancer Now

  • Why is breast screening offered?

    Why is breast screening offered?
    Anyone can get breast cancer. This includes women, men, trans and non-binary people.
    It’s the most common type of cancer in the UK.
    The chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older. Most breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50 years old.
    Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot a cancer that is too small to feel or see.
    Breast screening saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.
    Finding cancer early can make it:
    More likely that treatment will be successful
    Less likely you’ll need to have a breast removed (mastectomy
    More likely you’ll be cured
    You can have breast screening whatever size or shape your breasts are.

Cervical cancer screening

  • Why is cervical screening offered?

    Cervical screening (a smear test) looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause abnormal cells on the cervix. If HPV is found a cytology test is used as a triage, to check for any abnormal cells.

    If no abnormal cells are found, a follow up screen is arranged for 12 months’ time. This will check to see if the immune system has cleared the virus.

    Most HPV infections are transient, and slightly abnormal cells often go away on their own when the virus clears. If HPV persists, abnormal cells can, if left untreated, turn into cancer over time.

    If abnormal cells are found, the individual will be referred to colposcopy (www.nhs.uk/conditions/colposcopy)

    The HPV vaccination programme started in 2008. Vaccinated individuals should still consider offers of cervical screening, as the vaccine does not protect against all subtypes of HPV.

  • When will you be invited for cervical screening?

    Cervical screening is available to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 in England.

    All eligible people who are registered with a GP (as female) automatically receive an invitation by mail. Trans men (assigned female at birth) do not receive invitations if registered as male with their GP, but are still entitled to screening if they have a cervix.

    The first invitation is sent to eligible people at the age of 24.5 years. People aged 25 to 49 receive invitations every 3 years. People aged 50 to 64 receive invitations every 5 years.

    If you do not want to be invited for screening, contact us and ask to be taken off the cervical screening list. You can ask them to put you back on the list at any time if you change your mind.

  • What is a Cervical Screening Test?

    Take a look at the Cancer Research UK video it explains exactly what the test involves.

    Video
    What is a cervical screening test?

  • How to Make an Appointment

    West Street Surgery is able to offer cervical screening appointments throughout the week and also in our extended access slots 7am to 8am and 6:30p to 8pm, so you can always come before or after work.
    Contact us online or by phone if you think you are due to have cervical screening but have not been sent an invitation or you did not previously book an appointment when you received your letter.

  • Further Information and Advice

    Website
    www.nhs.uk – What is cervical screening?

    www.gov.uk – Cervical screening: programme overview

    www.cancerresearchuk.org – About cervical screening

NHS population screening

Prostate cancer screening

  • Screening for Prostate Cancer

    There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. This is because there isn’t a reliable test that can pick up prostate cancer at an early stage.

    You may have heard of a PSA test. This test in conjunction with other tests maybe carried out if you are displaying symptoms prior to a referral to Urology.

  • What to do if you are worried about Prostate Cancer?

    You may have heard that urinary symptoms, such as difficulty passing urine, a slow or weak urinary stream or need to urinate more often, especially at night, blood in your urine are signs of prostate cancer.
    If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you have prostate cancer, but it is important to get them checked out. We suggest that you call to arrange a PSA blood test and a GP will follow-up any abnormal results.

    Website
    Prostate Cancer UK

  • What is the PSA test?

    PSA stands for prostate specific antigen. It’s a protein made by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. It’s normal for all men to have some PSA in their blood.
    A high level of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer. But your PSA level can also be raised because of other conditions that aren’t cancer. This includes a urine infection or a benign enlarged prostate
    It must also be said that a PSA test can also miss some prostate cancers. Therefore, a PSA test on its own is not recommended as a screening test for prostate cancer.

  • Find out more information

    Websites
    www.cancerresearchuk.org

    www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer

    www.menshealthforum.org.uk