Wellbeing and Disease Prevention
Screening
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
LOCAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL
There are a number of screening services which you can contact directly if you have had a problem with the screening process or if you want to organise some screening which you have missed or are entitled to.
ANNUAL DIABETIC EYE CHECK
From the NHS
The whole diabetic eye screening process is well set out on the NHS website:
What is diabetic eye screening? Diabetic eye screening – NHS
Contacting the local service
As the NHS suggest
“If it’s been more than a year since your last test and you have not had a letter you can contact your local eye screening service.” You can check any old letters to find contact details or alternatively you can contact your local eye screening service using: Find service Find services – NHS entering “NHS screening” and your postcode and then picking Diabetic eye screening
The commonly used service in Buckinghamshire is
Buckinghamshire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme Overview – Buckinghamshire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme – NHS
BREAST SCREENING
From the NHS
The whole breast screening process is well set out on the NHS website:
Breast screening (mammogram) Breast screening (mammogram) – NHS
Contacting the local service
As the NHS suggest
“Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you.” When you’ll be invited for breast screening and who should go – NHS
Contact your local breast screening service (details as below) if
- you’ve not been invited for breast screening by the time you are 53 and think you should have been
- it’s been more than 3 years since your last appointment and you think you’re overdue
Contacting your local breast screening service
You can find your local breast screening services Find Breast screening services services – NHS
The commonly used services in Buckinghamshire are:
- Aylesbury & Wycombe Breast Screening Service Overview – Aylesbury & Wycombe Breast Screening Service – NHS
- East Berkshire Breast Diagnostic Centre (Windsor) Overview – East Berkshire Breast Diagnostic Centre (Windsor) – NHS
Continuing with breast Screening over 71 with the local service
From the NHS
When you’ll be invited for breast screening and who should go When you’ll be invited for breast screening and who should go – NHS
As the NHS suggest
“If you are 71 or over: You will not automatically be invited for breast screening if you are 71 or over. But you can still have breast screening every 3 years if you want to. You will need to call your local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.”
Contacting your local breast screening service
You can find your local breast screening services Find Breast screening services services – NHS
The commonly used services in Buckinghamshire are:
- Aylesbury & Wycombe Breast Screening Service Overview – Aylesbury & Wycombe Breast Screening Service – NHS
- East Berkshire Breast Diagnostic Centre (Windsor) Overview – East Berkshire Breast Diagnostic Centre (Windsor) – NHS
BOWEL SCREENING
From the NHS
The whole bowel screening process is well set out on the NHS website:
Bowel cancer screening Bowel cancer screening – NHS
Contacting the local service
As the NHS suggest
“Everyone aged 60 to 74 who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years.”
“Make sure your GP practice has your correct address so your kit is posted to the right place.”
“If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.”
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM SCREENING
From the NHS
The whole aortic aneurysm screening process is well set out on the NHS website:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening – NHS
Contacting the local service
As the NHS suggest
“In England, screening for AAA is offered to men during the year they turn 65.”
“If you’re a man over 65 and have not been screened before, you can ask for a test by contacting your local AAA screening service directly.”
You can find your local screening service using: Find Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening services Find Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening services – NHS
The local screening service for Buckinghamshire is
Thames Valley AAA screening programme Overview – NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme – Thames Valley – NHS
Thames Valley AAA – Thames Valley Vascular Network Thames Valley AAA Screening Programme – Oxford University Hospitals
CHLAMYDIA SCREENING
From the NHS
Chlamydia Chlamydia – NHS
For under- 25s Contacting the local service
As the NHS suggests
“In some areas, young people can order a postal testing kit online as part of the NCSP. Search for free online tests for under-25s to see if this is available in your area.” You can search: Find Chlamydia – free online tests for u-25s services Find Chlamydia – free online tests for u-25s services – NHS
The Chlamydia Screening Postal Kits service for Buckinghamshire is
Chlamydia Screening Postal Kits – Buckinghamshire Overview – Chlamydia Screening Postal Kits – Buckinghamshire – NHS
The Chlamydia Screening Postal Kits service for Hillingdon is
Chlamydia Screening Postal Kits – Hillingdon Overview – Chlamydia Screening Postal Kits – Hillingdon – NHS
SUPPORT FOR CERVICAL SCREENING
Under Support with cervical screening you will find
- Information on smears
- Support in the process of having a smear for everyone
- A national helpline which covers all aspects of smears.
- How a smear can prevent cancer.
FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
OVERVIEW OF NHS SCREENING
From the NHS, Patient info and Gov UK
NHS screening including what is covered, benefits, risks and limitations of screening
- NHS screening – NHS
- Screening Tests in the UK | Health | Patient
- Population screening programmes: detailed information – GOV.UK
BREAST SCREENING
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Breast screening
- Breast cancer screening – NHS
- How is breast screening done? | Breast Cancer | Patient
- Breast screening | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From NICE
Breast cancer – managing FH Breast cancer – managing FH | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
BOWEL SCREENING
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Bowel Screening
- Bowel cancer screening – NHS
- Bowel Cancer Screening | Colon Cancer Test | Signs & Symptoms | Patient
- Bowel screening | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
NATIONAL CHLAMYDIA SCREENING PROGRAMME (NCSP)
From Gov UK
National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) (more complex information) National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) – GOV.UK
From the NHS
Chlamydia (Simple information) Chlamydia – NHS
For more information on testing for chlamydia, see under
OTHER SCREENING
From the NHS
- Screening in pregnancy Screening tests in pregnancy – NHS
- Screening for new born babies Newborn screening – NHS
- Diabetic eye screening Diabetic eye screening – NHS
- Aortic aneurysm screening Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening – NHS
INFORMATION ON THE TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER
As Patient info say: “Experts disagree on how useful the PSA test is. There is a lot of ongoing research about PSA. At the moment there is no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.” The pro and cons of PSA testing are well explained in the leaflets below:
From the NHS
Why is there no national screening programme for prostate cancer? Prostate cancer – PSA testing – NHS
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Should I have a PSA test?
- Prostate cancer – Should I have a PSA test? – NHS
- PSA Test (Prostate Specific Antigen) | Patient Leaflet | Patient
- Screening for prostate cancer | Diagnosis | Prostate cancer | CKS | NICE
What decision aids are there for men considering a PSA test?
As NICE suggest “decisions aids have been developed for men considering having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.” The SWOP is an online decision aid developed by the Department of Urology of the Erasmus MC, the University and Medical Centre of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Estimate your prostate cancer risk SWOP – The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, Reeuwijk
Calculate your prostate cancer risk using SWOP: You can first assess your general risk by using Risk Calculator 1 (no PSA result available) which takes into account your age, family history and urinary symptoms. This is an estimate and clearly is not a substitute for a blood test, but may help a discussion you have with a clinician.
From Cancer Research UK
Why is there no national screening programme for prostate cancer? Screening | Prostate cancer | Cancer Research UK
From the British Association of Urological Surgeons
PSA testing and prostate cancer: Advice for well men aged 50 and over PSA testing and prostate cancer: advice for well men aged 50 and over
From the NHS
Prostate cancer Prostate cancer – NHS
Website translation
Translation is available for the whole website by clicking the language box on the top of the page and finding your language.
Leaflets
From Gov UK
Leaflets in multiple languages, scroll down the linked page to find different language leaflets
Easy read support
Easy read leaflets combine short, jargon-free sentences with simple, clear images to help explain different screening tests.
From Gov UK
Easy read leaflets:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: easy guide – GOV.UK
- Bowel cancer screening: easy guide – GOV.UK
- Breast screening: easy guide – GOV.UK
- Cervical screening: an easy guide – GOV.UK
- Chlamydia: easy read information about testing – GOV.UK
- Diabetic eye screening: easy read guide – GOV.UK
- Screening tests for you and your baby: easy guides – GOV.UK
From Beyond Words
Support for people who cannot read or do not like written words with picture stories for various health topics, which include a suggested storyline for family members, carers or health professionals to refer to. Includes a number of leaflets on screening. Free downloads — Beyond Words
Further information on easy read can be found under
Videos and podcasts
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of screening.
- Videos And Podcasts – see section “wellbeing and disease prevention”.
