Breast Screening
About 1 in 7 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Breast cancer treatment is more successful and there’s a better chance of recovery if cancers are detected at an early stage, which is why it’s so important for women aged 50 to 71 to attend their breast screening when invited.
If you’ve received a breast screening invitation, you can book an appointment that suits you on the NHS London breast screening website. If you cannot attend your appointment or missed it, it’s not too late – call the London Breast Screening Hub on 020 3758 2024 to discuss the options available in your local area, which may include evening or weekend appointments.
Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel. The mammographer will always be female. If you have a health condition, disability, or a physical issue which may make having a mammogram difficult, contact the London Breast Screening Hub on 020 3758 2024. They will make reasonable adjustments to ensure the breast screening services are accessible to you.
For more information about breast screening, like what happens at your appointment or where you’ll have it, visit the NHS website.
Finally, if you notice any changes in your breasts, contact your GP, even if you have recently had a clear breast screening. Do not wait for your next breast screening appointment. Find out more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Who: Women and people with a cervix (e.g., trans and non-binary) age 25 - 64
Screening test: involves using a soft brush to take a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. The sample is put into a small plastic container and sent to a laboratory. It is tested for the types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
Frequency:
- Age 25-49 – 3 yearly
- Age 50-64 - 5 yearly
Where: general practice (95%), sexual health services
Benefits: NHS cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer. It saves thousands of lives from cervical cancer each year in the UK. In England cervical screening currently prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths. If everyone attended screening regularly, 83% could be prevented
Bowel Cancer Screening
Who: People aged 54 to 74. By 2025 – people aged 50 to 74
Screening test:
- Home test kit - FIT kit
- Test for microscopic amounts of blood
Frequency: Every 2 years
Where: Home test kit posted to your home
Benefits:
- Prevents cancer at an early stage when it easier to treat
- Detects polyps which, if left untreated, could develop into cancer
- Reduces the risk of dying from cancer by 25%