Cancer Screening

Cancer Screening

NHS England operate three cancer screening programmes – cervical screening to detect early changes that may lead to cervical cancers, breast screening to detect breast changes that may lead to breast cancer, and bowel screening to detect possible changes that may lead to bowel cancer.

The screening programmes are designed to invite those in the most at-risk age categories. Here at South Street Surgery – we encourage all those eligible to ensure they take up their invitation for screening – it could save your life.

Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25-49 every three years, and women aged 50-64 every five years. 700 women die every year in the UK from cervical cancer, and 4,500 women are effectively picked up with early changes and successfully treated each year – screening really does save lives. For more information please visit: www.nhs.uk/cervical-screening

Breast screening is offered to all women aged 50-70 every 3 years. About 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery. Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. For more information please visit: www.nhs.uk/breast-cancer-screening

Bowel screening is offered as a one off to those aged 55, and from the age of 60 every two years. Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in both men and women. About 1 in 20 people will get it during their lifetime. Screening can help detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when it’s easier to treat. It can also be used to help check for and remove small growths in the bowel called polyps, which can turn into cancer over time. For more information please visit: www.nhs.uk/bowel-cancer-screening