From time to time patients require additional screening for a variety of reasons. National NHS screening programmes, such as the breast screening programme, are co-ordinated and led nationally. For your information we have provided brief details of National NHS screening programmes that our patients may be invited to attend.
*PLEASE NOTE* If you have been invited for screening, or have been for screening and have any questions about the result, you should contact the name and address shown on your invitation letter or result letter. If you are worried about a specific problem, or otherwise worried about the risks of cancer, then you should talk to your GP.
NHS Health Checks
NHS Health Checks are a national health programme and are offered to people aged between 40 and 74 once every five years. By taking proactive action, evidence shows you can improve your health and help prevent heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or diabetes. The Health Check should take about 20 minutes and is based on straightforward questions and measurements such as age, sex, family history, height, weight and blood pressure. After the Health Check, you will receive free personalised advice about what you can do to stay healthy.
Breast Screening
Breast screening uses x-rays called mammograms to look for breast cancers when they are too small to be seen or felt. All women between 50 and 70 years old are invited for breast screening every three years. The Breast Screening Service rotates through the Practices in the area on a three-yearly cycle. This means that your first invitation for breast screening will fall between your 49th and 53rd birthdays, at a time when the Surgery is being screened. From March 2013 the service was extended to all women who fall within the the new national screening age groups of 47 to 49 and 71 to 73. As a result of phasing in only one of the new screening age groups (either age group 47 to 49 or age group 71 to 73) will be invited along with all eligible 50 to 70 year olds. Once women reach the upper age range, they are encouraged to continue routine three-yearly screening and should ring 02381 204959 for an appointment.
The Southampton and Salisbury breast screening programme has a consistently high cancer detection rate and exceeds most national standards. When the mobile van is in the area and you are due for examination, you will be sent an invitation directly from the Southampton and Salisbury breast screening programme.
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening is when a sample of cells is taken from the cervix for analysis. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to sweep around the cervix. Most women consider the procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable.
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb).
All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for cervical screening test every three to five years. The programme is run by Primary Care Support England and they will write to patients directly asking them to contact the surgery when they are due for screening. The result will be sent directly to the patient and usually within 1-2 weeks.
Bowel Cancer Screening
Bowel cancer screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage (in people with no symptoms), when treatment is more likely to be effective. The screening test detects tiny amounts of blood, which you cannot normally see, in your bowel motions. You can carry out the test in the privacy of your own home and the kit provides a simple way for you to collect small samples of your bowel motions. You may think that doing the test sounds a bit embarrassing or unpleasant, but it will only take a few minutes and it is an effective way to detect bowel cancer early.
Screening is offered every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 69. The programme is run by the Southern Hub of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. When you are due for screening, a test kit will be sent out along with step-by-step instructions for completing the test at home and sending the samples to the hub laboratory. The test will then be processed and the results sent to the patient within two weeks. People over 70 can request a screening kit by calling the Freephone helpline 0800 707 6060.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening programme is being gradually introduced across England. The aim of the programme is to reduce deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms (also called ‘AAAs’ or ‘Triple As’) through early detection. Screening will be a simple, pain-free test called an ultrasound scan to look for an aneurysm. The test is very quick and usually lasts less than 10 minutes. Results will be provided verbally at the appointment. Once fully implemented, all men will be invited for screening during the year that they turn 65. Men who have an aneurysm detected through screening will be offered treatment or monitoring depending on the size of the aneurysm.
The Hampshire AAA screening programme will invite you when you are due for screening you will be sent an appointment. If you have any queries, please call the local screening programme on 02381 206279.
Diabetic Retinal Screening
The aim of the programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes, by the prompt identification and effective treatment if necessary of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy. Screening involves digital photography of the eye, specifically the retina. The camera does not touch your eye and should not cause any discomfort.
Diabetic patients are recalled by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) and patients will be contacted when due for screening and asked to make an appointment. If you would like to make appointment or you have any queries please call 01983 898700.
