Bowel cancer is a common type of cancer in both men and women. About 1 in 20 people will get it during their lifetime. Bowel Screening can help detect cancer at an early stage, when it's best and easier to treat.  It can also be used to help check for and remove small growths (polyps) in the bowel which can turn into cancer over time.

Types of screening test 

There are 2 types of test used in NHS bowel cancer screening: 

• Bowel scope screening. This is a test where a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end is used to look for and remove any polyps inside your bowel.
• Home testing kit (the FIT or FOB test). This is a kit used to collect small samples of your poo which you would post to a laboratory so they can be checked for tiny amounts of blood (which could be caused by cancer).

If the tests find anything unusual, you might be asked to have further tests to confirm or rule out cancer.

When it's offered

NHS bowel cancer screening is offered to people aged 55 or over, as this is when you're more likely to get bowel cancer:

• If you're 55, you'll automatically be invited for a one-off bowel scope screening test (if it's available in your area).
• If you're 60 to 74, you'll automatically be invited to do a home test every 2 years.
• If you're 75 or over, you can ask for a home testing kit every 2 years by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

If you're too young for screening but are worried about a family history of bowel cancer, speak to a GP for advice.

Always see a GP if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age, do not wait to have a screening test.

Risks of screening

No screening test is 100% reliable. There's a chance a cancer could be missed, meaning you might be falsely reassured.

There's also a small risk that the bowel scope screening test and some of the tests you might have if screening finds something unusual could damage your bowel, but this is rare.

There are no risks to your health from the home testing kit.

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. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they're too small to see or feel but there are some risks of breast cancer screening that you should be aware of.

As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, all women aged from 50 to their 71st birthday who are registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years.  In the meantime, if you're 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's normal for you, do not wait to be offered screening. See a GP. 

Why is breast screening offered? 

Experts agree that regular breast screening is beneficial in identifying breast cancer early. The earlier the condition is found, the better the chances of surviving it.  You're also less likely to need to have your breast removed or chemotherapy if breast cancer is detected early on.  

The main risk is that the screening sometimes picks up cancers that may not have caused any symptoms or become life threatening which may end up having unnecessary extra tests and treatment.

When will I be offered breast screening? 

The screening is offered to women aged 50 to their 71st birthday in England but currently there's a trial to examine the effectiveness of offering some women 1 extra screen between the ages of 47 and 49, and 1 between the ages of 71 and 73.  

You'll first be invited for screening within 3 years of your 50th birthday, but in some areas you'll be invited from the age of 47 as part of the age extension trial. You may be eligible for screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer. 

If you're 71 or over, you'll stop receiving invitations. You can still have screening once you're 71 or over if you want to, and can arrange an appointment by contacting your local screening unit.

What happens during breast screening?

The screening involves having an X-ray (mammogram) at a special clinic or mobile screening unit. Your breasts will be X-rayed 1 at a time. The breast is placed on the X-ray machine and gently but firmly compressed with a clear plate.  Two X-rays are taken of each breast at different angles 

Breast screening results 

The results will be checked for any abnormalities and will be sent to you and your GP no later than 2 weeks after your appointment. After screening, about 1 in 25 women will be called back for further assessment. 

Being called back does not mean you definitely have cancer. The first mammogram may have been unclear.

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening is a way of preventing cancer. It tests for a virus called high risk human papilloma virus (HPV). High risk HPV can cause cervical cells to become abnormal.  Most cases of cervical cancer are linked to high risk HPV.

The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It is the lowest part of the womb and is at the top of the vagina.  A nurse takes a sample of cells from the cervix using a small soft brush (smear test) and sends the sample to the laboratory.

What happens if you have high risk HPV?

If you do have high risk HPV, the laboratory will test your sample for cell changes. If there are cell changes you will be invited for a colposcopy and further tests.  If there are no cell changes you will be invited back for cervical screening in 1 year.

Who has cervical screening?

The cervical screening programme invites women from age 25 to 64 for screening. You get an invite every 3 years if you are aged 25 to 49.  After that, you get an invite every 5 years until the age of 64.  You need to be registered with a GP to get your invitations.

Cervical screening also applies to people within this age range who have a cervix, such as trans men. You can talk to your GP about this. If you are over 65 and have never had cervical screening, you can ask your GP for a test if you want one.

Cervical cancer is very rare in women younger than 25. Changes in the cells of the cervix are quite common in this age group.  These changes often return to normal and are less likely to develop into cancer, screening this age group leads to unnecessary treatment and worry.

How you have the cervical screening test

You can book to have your cervical screening appointment at:

• Your GP practice.
• Some sexual health clinics.

It should be on a day when you are not having your period. A female nurse usually does the screening test. Talk to them if you feel at all nervous about having the test. They can help reassure you. The test itself only takes a minute or two.

Screening results

Your nurse will tell you when you are likely to get the results. It usually takes around 2 to 6 weeks.  You and your GP will get a letter in the post with the results.