National Screening Programmes

Breast Screening

Breast screening is currently offered to women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday.

It is the most common type of cancer in the UK, where about 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If you think you have symptoms of breast cancer, please make an appointment to see a GP.

For more information on breast cancer symptoms etc, click here.

Breast Screening Poster

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Men aged 65 and over are most at risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA), and screening can help spot a swelling in the aorta at an early stage.

Screening is not routinely offered to groups where there is a smaller risk of an AAA. These are:

• men under the age of 65
• women
• anyone who has already been treated for an AAA

Men who are resident in England receive an invitation in the post for screening when they are aged 64 or 65.

For more information from the NHS website, click here.

Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel cancer screening is offered every 2 years to men and women aged 60 to 74. People older than this can ask for a screening kit every 2 years by calling the free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

The NHS website has more information, including:

• symptoms of bowel cancer
• causes of bowel cancer
• treatment for bowel cancer

If you are unsure how to do the test, please click the link whch will take you to a step by step video

Bowel cancer screening – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Cervical Screening

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

For more information, visit our ‘Women’s Health’ section.