Cervical Screening
Cervical screening is also known as a smear test. It is not a test for cancer but it is a test to check the health of the cervix, which is the lower part of the womb - just like you would go to the dentist to check the health of your teeth and gums. It is a simple test which involves taking a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix to check everything is normal and healthy.
The test is free and offered to all women aged 25 to 64, regardless of sexuality or ethnic background. You will be automatically invited every three years if aged 25 to 49, and every 5 years if aged 50 to 64. An invite will be sent to you, asking you to make an appointment. If you have missed your appointment or have any unusual symptoms, such as irregular bleeding, don’t wait for your invite- contact your GP straight away!
Cervical Screening Leaflet
Bowel Cancer Screening
Why do the NHS offer bowel cancer screening
The NHS offers screening to detect bowel cancer when it is at an early stage in people with no symptoms. This is when treatment is more likely to be effective. Screening can also find polyps. These are abnormal clumps of cells in the bowel. Polyps are not cancers but may develop into cancers over time. Polyps can be easily removed, which reduces the risk of bowel cancer developing. Regular bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer.
Who is eligible
The NHS offers bowel cancer screening using a home testing kit to everyone in England from the age of 60. The GP practice gives us your contact details so please make sure they always have your correct name, date of birth and address. Many GPs also like to have your mobile number and email address.
We offer screening every 2 years between the ages of 60 and 74. We are gradually extending this age range, and people aged 56 are now being invited as part of this process. If you are over 74, you can ask for a kit every 2 years by calling our free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
For more information or for leaflets in different languages, you can visit Bowel cancer screening: benefits and risks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Breast Cancer Screening
The Bolton, Bury and Rochdale Breast Screening Programme 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.
The service is part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme which began in 1988. Nationally the programme screens 1.3 million women each year and diagnoses about 10,000 breast cancers annually.
The screening service provides breast screening for women aged 50-71 years once every three years in the areas covered by the Bolton, Bury and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Groups.
- One in seven women will develop breast cancer at some time in their life
- 80% of breast cancers occur in women over 50
- The risk of breast cancer rises as women get older
- 1,400 lives a year are saved through the breast screening programme.
The Breast Screening Service will send an appointment. If you are unable to attend you can contact them on 01204 390454 or email them at BSU@boltonft.nhs.uk to rearrange.
For more information you can visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/breast-screening-information-leaflets#leaflets