Screening is a process of identifying people who may be at increased risk of a certain disease or condition. Screening usually takes place before a person has any symptoms, which means they feel well and do not know that they have the condition.
Screening supports early diagnosis, which can significantly improve the chances of a positive outcome. People can then be offered information, further tests, and appropriate treatment, to reduce their risk and any complications arising from the disease or condition.
There are 6 NHS screening programmes and, dependent on your age and gender, you'll be invited to take part in these screening programmes.
All routine screening services offered by the NHS are free.
Bowel cancer screening programme
Men and women aged between 50 and 74 are invited every 2 years to take part in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme. Treatment for bowel cancer is highly successful, and the sooner it is found, the higher the chances of a positive outcome.
The first stage of screening is done via a home testing kit, which will arrive in the post. Make sure your GP practice has the correct address, so that your kit is posted to the right place.
The kit contains a sample tube, for collecting a sample of stool, which will be checked by the laboratory (lab) for traces of blood, which may not be visible to the human eye. The pack comes with instructions on how to complete the test in the privacy of your own home. Once completed, it needs to be posted back to the lab in the Freepost envelope that's provided with the kit.
Watch a video on how to do the bowel screening test.
Bowel cancer screening aims to spot potential symptoms at an early stage and results usually take 2 weeks to arrive. Most people will have a normal result and will not need to do anything else.
If blood is found in the sample, there could be several reasons for this and a telephone appointment will be made with a specialist. The specialist will provide information about the next steps of screening and will be able to answer any questions.
The next stage of screening is usually a colonoscopy, which is where a small camera is used to look inside the bowel.
If you think you're eligible for bowel cancer screening but you've not been invited, or had your test kit, call the bowel cancer screening helpline for free telephone: 0800 707 6060. People aged over 75 can also request bowel screening every 2 years, but will need to call the helpline to request this.
Breast screening programme
Breast screening aims to detect breast cancers at an early stage, through mammography, before they have become large enough to feel.
People registered with a GP as female aged between 50 and 71 are invited every 3 years to take part in the NHS breast screening programme.
Women over 71 can still have screening every 3 years by making their own appointment at their local breast screening unit.
If you're a trans man, trans woman or 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.
You need to be registered with a GP surgery to be invited for breast screening.
The NHS have produced an in-depth guide on how to spot the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. They also have advice and information about how to reduce your risk and what to expect at your screening appointment.
You can find more information about making an informed choice about breast screening. The information is available in a variety of languages.
Cervical screening programme
Cervical screening is available to women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64.
Eligible people aged 25 to 64 are invited for screening every 5 years.
Women aged 65 and over who have never had a test or have not had cervical screening since the age of 50, can ask their GP for an appointment.
You can find out more about screening for trans and non-binary people.
All eligible people who are registered with a GP should automatically be sent an invitation to book cervical screening either through the NHS app, by text message, or by letter.
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It's a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman's cervix (the neck of the womb).
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme
The NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programme invites men for screening in the year when they turn 65. It's important to ensure your GP has the correct address so that your invitation is posted to the right place.
Screening for AAA is not routinely offered to women, men under 65, people who have already been treated for an AAA. This is because the risk of getting an AAA is much smaller in these groups.
The NHS offers screening in order to find aneurysms early so they can be checked regularly or treated if needed. An abdominal aortic aneurysm can be life threatening if not spotted early on.
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm you'll not generally notice any symptoms. This means that you cannot tell if you have one, as you may not feel any pain or notice anything different.
The screening test for AAA is a simple ultrasound scan of the abdomen that usually takes less than 10 minutes.
Men over 65 who have not previously been screened or diagnosed with an aneurysm can request a scan by contacting their local abdominal screening programme.
Diabetic eye screening programme
The NHS diabetic eye screening programme aims to reduce the risk of sight loss in people with diabetes. The screening process helps to identify diabetic retinopathy early and ensure patients are offered effective treatment where necessary.
All people aged 12 and over with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) are offered eye screening appointments every 1 or 2 years. Invitations for diabetic eye screening are usually sent by post, with instructions of how to book.
The screening test usually takes around 30 minutes.
At your appointment, screening staff will give you eye drops to make your pupils larger, so the retina can be seen more clearly and then take digital photos of your retina.
Find diabetic eye screening services.
Screening in pregnancy
You will be offered some screening tests during pregnancy to identify any health problems that could affect you or your baby.
Screening in pregnancy includes:
Your midwife will provide more information about the screening tests that you'll be offered at your first appointment.
The tests can help you make informed choices about care or treatment during your pregnancy, or after your baby is born.
Newborn screening
When a baby is born there are a range of routine health checks and tests that will take place in the first 6 weeks. These include:
- a physical examination
- a hearing test
- a blood test (taken from the baby's heel)
The benefits of screening can be enormous. Early treatment can improve health and prevent serious problems.
The physical examination is usually carried out within 72 hours of your baby being born. A second examination will be carried out when your baby is 6 to 8 weeks old, usually at your GP surgery. The examination is a head-to-toe check and includes checking the eyes, heart and other organs.
The hearing test is usually carried out before your baby leaves hospital, or within a few weeks of birth. It aims to spot any problems with hearing so that the correct support can be offered.
The blood test checks for 9 rare but serious conditions including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. The test will be carried out when your baby is around 5 days old. A health professional will prick your baby's heel to collect blood samples, which are sent to a laboratory for analysis.