Screening helps find some cancers early so that they can be treated as soon as possible. It can also find changes in some cells before they become cancerous.

What is cancer screening?

Cancer screening uses tests to find people who may:

• have cancer – so it can be treated early and effectively
• need treatment or monitoring – to prevent cancer developing.
• Diagnosing cancer early can mean treatment is more effective and less complex. The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the better your chance of survival and being cured.

The UK has 3 cancer screening programmes. You can have regular screening tests to help find breast or colorectal cancer early, before you notice symptoms. There is also regular screening to prevent cervical cancer. This looks at the cervix for changes that could become cancer if not treated.

Should I have cancer screening?

Screening is a personal choice. A screening programme is only offered if there is evidence to show that most people will benefit from it. Although no test is 100% accurate for a screening programme to work it must have a test that is good enough. The programme also needs to show that it can stop people dying from cancer.

To help you to decide whether to have screening, you will be given information about:

• what the screening test involves
• the different benefits and risks of having screening.

It is important to understand this so that you can make an informed decision.

Possible benefits of screening

• Screening may help find cancer early, which improves your chance of survival.
• When cancer is diagnosed early, you may need less treatment.
• Screening may help prevent cancer developing by finding cell changes that would become cancer if left untreated.

Possible risks of screening

• The screening test may suggest you have cancer when you do not. This is called a false positive result. It may make you feel very anxious.
• You may need further tests that have possible side effects.
• The screening test may not find a cancer that is already there. This is called a false negative result.
• Screening may find a cancer that might never have caused you any problems or shortened your life.

If you have a family history of cancer

A family history of certain cancers may mean you have a higher risk of developing cancer. If you are worried about your family history, talk to your GP about it. You may be referred to a genetics clinic to have your individual risk worked out. Depending on your risk, you may be advised to start screening at a younger age.

Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer screening uses a low-does x-ray of the breast called a mammograms. A mammogram is a way of finding signs of early breast cancers that are too small to see or feel. It does not prevent breast cancer, but it does reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer each year. When breast cancer is diagnosed early, your treatment is more likely to be effective and you may need less treatment.

If you have possible symptoms of breast cancer, make an appointment with your GP. Do not wait for a breast screening invite.

Who can have breast screening?

Breast screening is offered to anyone who is registered as female with their GP, and aged between 50 and 70. If you are over 70, you can self-refer through your GP.

If you are transgender (trans) or non-binary, talk to your GP or practice nurse about breast screening. The NHS breast screening programme only automatically invites people who are registered as female with their GP. Your GP can contact them and arrange for you to be invited for screening.

You can find out more about breast screening and making decisions on the following websites:

• GOV.UK – Breast screening: Helping women decide
• NHS – How to decide if you want breast screening
• NHS Inform (Scotland) – Breast screening.

Your local breast screening unit

You can find out more about your local breast screening units:

• England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, you may be offered regular breast screening when you are under the age of 50. Macmillan have more information about breast screening if you have a family history of breast cancer.