Cancer screening
Screening can help find cancer early, when treatment may be more successful. Find out about the screening programmes available in England, who is invited and what to expect.
What is cancer screening?
Cancer screening means testing people for early signs of cancer, or for early changes that could develop into cancer if left untreated.
Breast cancer
Women and some trans or non-binary people, age 50 to 71. Breast screening uses mammograms and is offered every 3 years.
Cervical screening
Eligible people aged 25 to 64. Screening tests for high-risk HPV. Invitations are normally every 5 years.
Bowel cancer
Available from age 50 to 74. A home FIT kit is sent every 2 years to eligible people.
Other screening information
Lung cancer screening is not yet a national screening programme but is available across north west London. It is offered to people aged 55–74 with any history of smoking who are registered with a participating GP practice.
There is currently no routine screening programme for prostate cancer in England.
Eligible people will automatically be invited for screening if they are registered with a GP practice. Invitations may be sent through the NHS App, by text or by letter with information about how to take part.
Breast cancer screening
Breast screening aims to find breast cancer early, when there is the best chance of successful treatment.
About breast cancer
Breast cancer is when abnormal cells in the breast begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a growth, often referred to as a tumour. It normally starts in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast.
Risk can be affected by age, family history, and diet and lifestyle.
Symptoms to look out for
- A lump in the breast
- Thickening in the breast or armpit
- A change in the size, shape or feel of the breast
- Skin changes such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness
- Fluid leaking from the nipple when not pregnant or breastfeeding
- Changes in the position of the nipple
These symptoms are more often caused by other medical conditions, but it is important to make an appointment with your GP practice if you have them.
What happens?
Screening involves an X-ray of the breast called a mammogram. This is taken by a female clinician.
Breast screening is for women and some trans or non-binary people between the ages of 50 and 71, every 3 years.
Invitations will soon be sent through the NHS App in the first instance. If you do not have the NHS App or do not respond, you will receive an invitation by text or post.
Results should arrive by letter within 2 to 3 weeks. Your GP practice will also receive a copy.
Breast screening FAQs
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breasts. A female mammographer compresses the breasts, one at a time, between two X-ray plates to obtain clear images. Compression lasts only a few seconds.
Are mammograms safe?
Mammograms use a very low dose of radiation. The source information states that the benefits of early detection far outweigh the risk from this low dose.
Does a mammogram hurt?
The breast is tightly squeezed between two plates. Some women find this uncomfortable or mildly painful, but it lasts only a few seconds and is necessary to obtain a clear image.
What happens if I am called back?
Approximately 4–5 in 100 women are invited for extra tests. These may include another mammogram, an ultrasound and potentially a biopsy. In most cases, further assessment does not lead to a cancer diagnosis.
Cervical screening
Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer by testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
Why it matters
Long-lasting infection with certain types of HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are linked to high-risk HPV.
The NHS cervical screening programme invites eligible people aged 25 to 64 every 5 years. If HPV is detected, you may be invited more regularly.
Possible symptoms
- Unusual vaginal bleeding, including between periods or after sex
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Vaginal discharge with an unusual colour or odour
- Pain in the pelvic area
If you have unusual bleeding, discharge or pelvic pain, contact your GP practice regardless of your age or screening history.
What happens during the test?
A doctor or nurse will usually carry out the screening test. You can ask for a female clinician.
You will be asked questions about your period, unusual bleeding and hormonal medication. You undress from the waist down and lie on a couch. A speculum is gently inserted to access the cervix and a small brush takes a cell sample.
The procedure takes under 5 minutes, with the whole visit lasting about 10 minutes.
Results are usually sent through the NHS App or by letter within 2 to 6 weeks.
Cervical screening FAQs
Who is the test for?
Screening is for everyone who is eligible regardless of marital or relationship status or sexual orientation. The test does not affect virginity.
What happens if HPV is not found?
Your next cervical screen will normally be in 5 years.
What happens if HPV is found?
You may be invited for more frequent tests or referred for further investigations.
Bowel cancer screening
Bowel screening aims to find bowel cancer early, when there is the best chance of successful treatment.
Who is invited?
Bowel cancer screening is available to everyone aged 50 to 74. Eligible people receive a FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) kit every 2 years.
Invitations will soon be sent through the NHS App in the first instance. If you do not have the NHS App or do not respond, invitations will be sent by text or post.
How the test works
The FIT looks for invisible blood in a stool sample. You complete the test at home and send the sample to the laboratory using the prepaid envelope provided.
Results should arrive within a few weeks.
Symptoms to be aware of
- Bleeding from the back passage or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal bowel habit
- A lump in your back passage or abdomen
- A feeling of needing to strain even after opening your bowels
- Unintentional weight loss
- Abdominal or back-passage pain
- Tiredness and breathlessness caused by anaemia
Anyone with symptoms should contact their GP practice promptly, whether under or over 50.
Bowel screening FAQs
Does the FIT kit tell me if I have cancer?
No. The FIT does not diagnose bowel cancer. It checks whether there is blood in the sample.
What happens if blood is found?
You will be invited for further investigations, normally a colonoscopy.
What if I am 75 or over?
If you wish to continue bowel screening, you can ask for a FIT kit every 2 years by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
What if I have not received my kit?
Check that your contact details at the GP practice are accurate and up to date. If you are eligible and have still not received a kit, call 0800 707 6060.
Lung cancer screening
Lung cancer screening is being rolled out across England and is available for eligible people in participating areas.
Who may be eligible?
People aged 55–74 who smoke or used to smoke and are registered with a participating GP practice may be invited.
Many people with early-stage lung cancer have no symptoms. Screening aims to find lung cancer as early as possible, when it is easier to treat.
Symptoms that need checking
- A persistent cough lasting 3 weeks or more
- Unexplained breathlessness
- Repeated chest infections or infections that have not improved after treatment
- Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
- Coughing up blood or blood in phlegm
- A cough that changes or gets worse
- Unexplained tiredness or lack of energy
- Chest or shoulder pain
What happens?
After an invitation, a patient care advisor will call you for a lung health check, lasting around 15 minutes. They will ask about your overall health, lung health and smoking history and calculate your risk.
If your assessment finds that you meet the required level of risk, you will be offered an in-person appointment with a nurse and, if suitable, a CT scan of your chest at a local mobile unit or NHS hospital.
People who smoke or used to smoke any tobacco product, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, roll-ups, hookahs or shishas, may be eligible.
Lung screening FAQs
I feel fine — why should I go?
Many people with early-stage lung cancer have no symptoms. The programme aims to detect lung cancer at the earliest opportunity.
I am not aged 55–74. Can I be screened?
The programme is currently offered to current or former smokers aged 55–74 because this is the group for whom the benefits of early detection through screening outweigh potential risks or harms.
I used to smoke but have not been invited. What should I do?
Your GP practice needs to be participating in the programme and your smoking history needs to be recorded in your medical history. If you think you are eligible, contact the practice to check that your smoking record is up to date.
Prostate cancer
There is currently no routine screening programme for prostate cancer in England.
Symptoms
Most men with early prostate cancer do not have signs or symptoms. Changes in urination are more likely to be caused by common non-cancerous problems such as an enlarged prostate, but they should still be checked.
- Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying the bladder
- A weak flow
- A feeling that the bladder has not emptied properly
- Dribbling after urinating
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- A sudden need to urinate, sometimes with leakage
When to contact us
These symptoms do not mean that you have prostate cancer, but you should contact your GP practice to discuss them.
The source information also notes that a family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer can indicate a higher risk. People with a family history may be eligible for genetic testing.
The UK National Screening Committee has announced a draft recommendation for a targeted prostate cancer screening programme for men with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation.
Worried about symptoms?
Screening is designed for people without symptoms. If you have symptoms that concern you, or you are worried about your cancer risk or family history, please contact Millbank Medical Centre to discuss your concerns.
Millbank Medical Centre
20 Page Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 4EN
020 7834 5502
