Cancer screening describes a number of medical tests performed to identify any signs of cancer on the early stage before any symptoms develop. Early detection of cancer can improve the life expectancy, as treatment would likely be more successful at the early stages. The NHS offers a range of national screening programmes for breast, cervical and bowel cancer.
Each year almost 7.9 million appointments are attended, and these screening programs save almost, 9000 lives every year.
There is no organised screening programme for prostate cancer but an informed choice programme, Prostate Cancer Risk Management, has been introduced.
All screening tests provided by the NHS are free. Private companies offer a range of screening tests that you have to pay for. Some of the tests on offer are not recommended by the UK NSC because it is not clear that the benefits outweigh the harms.
This however should not be confused with a private diagnostic investigation such as a private ultrasound or private baby scan that are not screening but diagnostic imaging tests.
The UK NSC has produced a downloadable leaflet on private screening
Although te NHS provides health screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancer a number of other screening tests are available for other cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. Some of these tests are available through your GP or private sector.
Before having any screening test, it’s worth finding out about the test itself and what would happen next if you found out you have a higher risk of a particular condition.
Deciding whether or not to have a screening test is a personal choice and one which only you can make. When you are invited for screening, you will receive an information leaflet about the screening test.
You can discuss any aspect of the screening test with your health professional and decide whether or not it’s right for you.
Different types of screening have different benefits and risks. Some of these are listed below.
Screening can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms.
Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.
Finding out you have a health problem or an increased risk of a health problem can help people make better informed decisions about their health.
Screening can reduce the risk of developing a condition or its complications.
Screening can save lives.
Screening tests are not 100% accurate. You could be told you have a problem when you don’t – this is called a “false positive” and may lead to some people having unnecessary further tests or treatment as a result of screening. A screening test could also miss a problem – this is called a “false negative” and could lead to people ignoring symptoms in the future.
Some screening tests can lead to difficult decisions. For example, if a pregnancy screening test tells you your baby has a higher risk of a particular condition, you may then be faced with a decision about having further diagnostic tests that involve a risk to your pregnancy. If the diagnostic test is positive, you may then need to decide whether to continue with your pregnancy.
Finding out you may have a health problem can cause considerable anxiety.
Even if your screening test result is normal or negative (meaning you are not at high risk), you could still go on to develop the condition.