One of the NHS services that can really change your life is early screening for cancer. You can find out all about this service, who can benefit from it and how to organise a test on the NHS website.
Bowel cancer screening
Who bowel screening is for
Bowel cancer screening is offered to everyone aged 54 to 74 every 2 years. It will soon be available for everyone aged 50 to 74 years old, so you may be sent a home test kit now if you’re aged 50 or over.
This is because your risk of getting bowel cancer gets higher as you get older.
You can also get screening for bowel cancer every 2 years if you’re aged 75 or over, but you need to call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 and ask for the test.
Cervical screening (smear test)
Cervical screening
Cervical screening, which used to be called smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It’s offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
Breast screening
When you’ll be invited
You’ll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you’ll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71.
Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA)
How to get a PSA test
Routine PSA testing is not offered on the NHS.
You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer.
Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms. Anyone aged 50 or over with a prostate can ask for a PSA test.
You can discuss the benefits and risks of a PSA test with your GP.