The NHS operates cancer screening programmes that help to save thousands of lives a year and improve the quality of life for those affected.
They are the NHS Breast Screening Programme, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme and the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. There is no organised screening programme for prostate cancer but an informed choice programme, Prostate Cancer Risk Management, has been introduced.
If you are worried about a specific problem, or otherwise worried about the risks of cancer, then you should talk to your GP. Visit the NHS Choices website for more information.
Breast cancer
The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites 2 million women for testing every year, and detects over 14,000 cancers. A 2006 review of the programme estimated that it saves around 1,400 lives a year in England.
All women aged 50 to 70 are invited to attend mammograms every three years at a hospital or mobile screening unit. After the age of 70, women are able to make their own appointments for screening every three years.
Visit the NHS CHoices website for more information about breast cancer, the NHS Breast Screening Programme website for screening information, or call Breast Cancer Care on 0808 800 6000 for more advice.
Cervical cancer
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme screens more than 3 million women each year. Cancer Research UK scientists estimate that the programme saves more than 4,500 lives in England annually.
Cervical cancer is one of the few preventable cancers, because screening picks up pre-cancerous changes. The test, used to detect abnormal cells on the cervix, prevents up to 75% of cervical cancers.
Women aged 25 to 49 are invited for screening every three years. Women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years.
Visit the NHS Choices website for more information about cervical cancer, the NHS Cervical Cancer Screening programme website for screening information, or call Jo’s cervical cancer trust on 0207 936 7498 for more advice.
Bowel cancer
About 1 in 20 people in the UK will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime. It is the third most common cancer in the UK, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Over 16,000 people die from it each year.
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be effective. Regular bowel cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 16%.
Men and women aged 60 to 69 will automatically be invited for screening every two years. People aged 70 and over can request screening every two years, but aren’t automatically invited.
Visit the NHS Choices website for more information about bowel cancer or the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening programme website for screening information. You can also call the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme helpline on 0800 707 6060 or call the Bowel Cancer UK Advisory Service on 0800 840 3540 for more advice.
Prostate cancer
The NHS Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme aims to ensure that men who are concerned about prostate cancer and considering a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test are given clear and balanced information about the benefits, limitations and risks associated with the test.
Visit the NHS Choice website or Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme website for more information about prostate cancer. Alternatively you can visit the Prostate Cancer Charity website or call their helpline on 0800 074 8383 for advice.