Health Screening
Screening is a way of finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions.
If you notice something incorrect or have something you feel is relevant to add, contact us here.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
AAA screening is offered to men during the screening year (1 April to 31 March) that they turn 65 to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (a dangerous swelling in the aorta). Men over 65 can self-refer.
Bowel Screening
NHS bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer. It's available to everyone aged 60 to 74 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.
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Breast Screening
NHS breast screening checks use X-rays to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel.
Breast screening is currently offered at 3-yearly intervals to women aged from 50 up to their 71st birthday in England.
Breast screening for women over 70 years is available upon request.
You can call 0115 993 6649 to arrange your appointment.
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening (a smear test) is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer.
It's offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer.
It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.
Diabetic Eye Screening
Diabetic eye screening is a test to check for eye problems caused by diabetes.
Eye problems caused by diabetes are called diabetic retinopathy. This can lead to sight loss if it's not found early.
If you have diabetes and you're aged 12 or over, you'll get a letter asking you to have your eyes checked every 1 or 2 years.
How often you're invited depends on the results from your last 2 screening tests.
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Newborn Screening
Your newborn baby will be offered some screening tests in their first 6 to 8 weeks.
Newborn babies are offered:
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a physical examination, which includes the eyes, heart, hips and testes
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a blood spot test to check if the baby has any of 9 rare conditions
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Pregnancy Screening
Different screening tests are offered at different times during pregnancy.
It's up to you whether you have a screening test. It's a personal choice that only you can make.
You can discuss each of the screening tests you're offered with your midwife or doctor and decide whether or not it's right for you.
Some of the screening tests you'll be offered are recommended by the NHS. These include:
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Blood tests for infectious diseases
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Eye screening if you have pre-existing diabetes (not gestational diabetes)
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Newborn screening tests
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This is because the results from these tests can help make sure that you or your baby get urgent treatment for serious conditions.
Prostate Screening
Instead of a national screening programme, there is an informed choice programme, called prostate cancer risk management, for healthy men aged 50 or over who ask their GP about PSA testing. It aims to give men good information on the pros and cons of a PSA test.
f you're aged 50 or over and decide to have your PSA levels tested after talking to a GP, they can arrange for it to be carried out free on the NHS.
If results show you have a raised level of PSA, the GP may suggest further tests.
