Below is the eligibility criteria for NHS screening. However, should you have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the practice. Should you have any worrying symptoms, do not wait for your routine screening. Please get in touch with the surgery, where our GPs are doing online, telephone and face to face consultations.
Cervical Screening
NHS Screening Programme sends out reminders to all women between the age of 25 and 64 when they are due a smear. If you think you may have missed your smear or unsure when you are due one, speak to the reception team who can advise you.
When you have your reminder, speak to the receptionists who will be able to arrange your smear with the nurses in one of our weekly smear clinics.
How often should you have a smear?
Women are offered screening at different intervals, depending on their age:
- Women should receive their first invitation for screening at 25
- Women aged 25-49 are invited for screening every three years
- Women aged 50-64 are invited for screening every five years.
- Women aged 65 or over are only screened if they have not been screened since they were 50 or have had recent abnormal test results
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Breast Screening
Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to their 71st birthday in England.
You’ll first be invited for screening between the ages of 50 and 53.
You may be eligible for breast screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer. (This may mean several of your female relatives developing breast or ovarian cancer, or a relative having breast cancer < 40 years old). If you think you might be high risk, please speak to your GP who can see if you are eligible for earlier screening.
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Bowel Screening
NHS bowel cancer screening is only offered to people aged 55 or over, as this is when you’re more likely to get bowel cancer:
- If you’re 55, you’ll automatically be invited for a one-off bowel scope screening test, if it’s available in your area
- If you’re 60 to 74, you’ll automatically be invited to do a home testing kit every 2 years
- If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a home testing kit every 2 years by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60
If you’re too young for screening but are worried about a family history of bowel cancer, speak to a GP for advice.
Always see a GP if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age – do not wait to have a screening test.
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