Cancer Screening

About 1 in 20 people will get bowel cancer in their life. It affects men and women.

Screening can help detect bowel cancer early, when it's easier to treat.

Bowel Cancer Screening FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) Test

How it works

You use a home test kit to do the screening.

If you're 54 to 74, you'll be sent a kit every 2 years. The programme is expanding to eventually include those aged 50-74, so you may be sent a home test kit now if you're aged 50 or over.

If you're 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years. Call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

If you're younger than 54 and you're worried because you have a family history of bowel cancer, speak to your GP.

Call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60 if you have not been sent a test and you think you need one.

If you are worried about your symptoms

You can read about symptoms of bowel cancer on the NHS website.

If you have symptoms that you are worried about you can request an appointment.

Find out more on the NHS website

Visit the NHS website guide to bowel cancer screening

You can also find information about bowel cancer from:

• Cancer Research UK
• Bowel Cancer UK

Cervical screening (also known as a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.

It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.

Who the screening is for

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should get a letter to invite them for a smear.

If you've not been invited and think you’re eligible, please contact the surgery.

How often you need a screening

How often you need screening depends on how old you are.

If you’re:

• under 25, you’ll be invited up to 6 months before you turn 25
• 25 to 49, you’ll be invited every 3 years
• 50 to 64, you’ll be invited every 5 years
• 65 or older, you’ll only be invited if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal.

Getting an appointment

You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.

The letter will tell you where you can go and how to request an appointment.

If you have not received a screening letter

You can also request an appointment at the surgery if you have not received an invite by letter, or if you lost the letter.

See surgery contact details

Find out more

Read the guide to cervical screening on the NHS website.