National Health Screening Programmes

 

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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 intervention can be offered, or information given to help them make informed decisions. 

Below you will find an overview of different free screening programmes available through NHS, with links to different types of screening and contact details for booking.

 

What is screening?

Screening is a way of identifying apparently healthy people who may have an increased risk of a particular condition. The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population. 

The aim is to offer screening to the people who are most likely to benefit from it. For example, some screening tests are only offered to newborn babies, while others such as breast screening and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening are only offered to older people. 

 

Breast screening

Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer. 

Anyone registered with a GP as female will automatically be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 to 71. You will get a letter in the post inviting you. 

If you are 71 or over you will not automatically be invited but you can still have breast screening every 3 years if you want to. You will need to call your local breast screening service to ask for an appointment. 

Learn more about Breast Screenings

How do I contact the Breast Screening Service? 

Visit the London Breast Screening website for further information and contact details

What happens at your appointment

NHS breast screening video: what happens during a mammogram

If you have symptoms

If you’re worried about breast cancer symptoms, please see your GP as soon as possible. The earlier a problem is found, the easier it can be to treat.

See symptoms of Breast Cancer

Information in other formats

 

Bowel Cancer Screening

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme checks if you could have bowel cancer. The earlier cancer is found, the more effective treatment is likely to be.

Bowel screening is offered to everyone aged 54 to 74 years (50 to 74 by 2025) every 2 years.

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.

Learn more about Bowel Cancer Screenings

If I have symptoms

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

See symptoms of Bowel Cancer

What is Bowel screening?

Bowel screening involves collecting a small sample of poo on a sample stick (faecal immunochemical test- FIT) and sending it back in the post. This tests for small amounts of blood in the poo.

How to get a home test kit

You will automatically be sent a test kit in the post when you are eligible. 

Bowel screening is offered to everyone aged 54 to 74 years (50 to 74 by 2025) every 2 years.

You are automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit in the post.

Make sure your GP practice has your correct address, so your kit is posted to the right place.

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. Call this number if you need to replace a lost kit.

How to use the home test kit 

Information in other formats

 

Cervical Screening (Smear test)

Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every 3 years for those aged 25 to 49, and every 5 years from the ages of 50 to 64.

Learn more about Cervical Screenings

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening is a test to check the health of the cervix (the neck of the womb).

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities.

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix with a soft brush.

A cervical smear is quick, taking about 15 minutes, and is done at the GP Surgery.

If you have any anxieties or concerns about the appointment, please talk to your GP surgery who can help discuss any further support you need.

Find out what happens at your cervical screening appointment

What are the benefits of cervical screening?

Early detection and treatment can prevent 75 per cent of cancers from developing.

If I have symptoms

If you have any symptoms of cervical cancer or any concerns, don’t wait for your screen, contact your GP.

See symptoms of cervical cancer

How do I book cervical screening

When you are invited for your smear test, please contact the GP Surgery to book an appointment.

You will be booked with the Practice Nurse. You can also request a weekend appointment (Saturday and Sunday) which would be booked for you at our local Enhanced Access Hubs. Our reception team can arrange this for you.  

Information in other formats

  • Cervical screening video, how it is done
  • Cervical screening: easy-read booklet
 

Targeted Lung Health Checks

If you are aged between 55 to 74 and have ever smoked, you may be offered an NHS lung health check.

Learn more about Lung Health Checks

Why lung health checks are done?

Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK. There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage. 

The Targeted Lung Health Check programme aims to find cancer early, sometimes before you have symptoms.

Lung health checks look at how well your lungs are working and can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can make lung cancer more treatable and make treatment more successful. 

Who is eligible for a lung health check

Currently, lung health checks are only available in some parts of England. This includes patients living within our Borough. They will be available everywhere by 2029.

If you are eligible, you will get a letter or phone call from a local NHS service inviting you to an appointment.

You may be invited if all the following apply to you:

  • You’re aged between 55 and 74
  • You’re registered with the Practice
  • You’re a current or former smoker

How do I contact the service?

Eligible patients who want to self-refer, or have missed an invite can visit the Lung Health Check West London website for contact details and further information 

 

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening

AAA Screening is offered to men during the screening year (1 April to 31 March) when they turn 65 to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (a dangerous swelling in the aorta). Men over 65 can self-refer. 

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of checking if there’s a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your tummy.

Learn more about Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screenings

This bulge or swelling is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA.

It can be serious if it’s not spotted early on because it could get bigger and eventually burst (rupture). 

Who’s screened for AAA

In England, screening for AAA is offered to men during the year they turn 65. 

Men aged 65 or over are at risk of getting AAAs. Screening can help spot a swelling in the aorta early on when it can usually be treated. 

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. 

If you’re over 65 years old, you can ask for a scan to check for an AAA if you think you might need one but have not been offered a screening test. 

How do I get screened for AAA

If you’re a man and registered with a GP, you’ll get a screening invitation in the post when you’re 64 or soon after your 65th birthday. You can then arrange an appointment that suits you. 

If you’re a man over 65 and have not been screened before, you can ask for a test by contacting your local AAA screening service directly by:

 

Prostate Cancer

There's currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.

The PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is a blood test to help detect prostate cancer. But it's not perfect and will not find all prostate cancers.

This blood test can be done at the Surgery. For more information see one of the links below, or ask your GP.

If I have symptoms

If you have any concerns about your prostate or any new symptoms, book to speak to your GP.

See symptoms of Prostate Cancer