Bowel Cancer Screening – Bowel cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer. Screening can help find it at an early stage when it is easier to treat. The screenings are available to everyone aged 60 or over and will soon be expanding to include people aged 56 this year.

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 (please make sure your GP has your correct details so your kit is posted to the correct address) If you are 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

Further information on this can be found on Bowel Cancer Screening Information

Breast Screening – Around 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, if detected early treatment is more successful and there is a good chance of recovery.

All women aged 50 to their 71st birthday who are registered with a GP are automatically invited for a breast screening every 3 years. In the meantime, if you are worried about breast cancer symptoms such as a lump or an area of thickened tissue In a breast, or you notice that your breasts look or feel different from what is normal for you, do not wait to be offered screening, contact your GP!

Further information on this can be found on Breast Cancer Screening Information

Cervical Screening (Smear) – Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix; this is a test to help prevent cancer.

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter. During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called ‘high risk’ types of HPV.

If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into a cervical cancer. Results are sent by letter which usually takes around 2 weeks, the letter will explain your result and what happens next. 

Further information on this can be found on Cervical Screening Information - Cervical Screening Video