NHS Screening Services

This page gives an overview of screening, with links to the different types of screening offered by the NHS in England.

Bowel Cancer Screening
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 69. People over 70 can request a screening kit by calling the freephone helpline 0800 707 6060

If you are in your sixties you will automatically be invited to complete a test kit.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns about your bowel health you should see your GP.

Further information about bowel cancer screening can be found on the NHS website.

Breast Cancer Screening
The NHS Breast Screening Programme provides free breast screening every three years for all women aged 50 and over. Once women reach the upper age limit (70 yrs) for routine invitations for breast screening, they are encouraged to make their own appointment.

If you are registered with a GP and the practice has your correct details, then you will automatically receive an invitation. You don't need to contact anyone but you might like to ask your surgery when the women on their list are next due for screening.

For further information about breast cancer screening can be found on the NHS website.

Cervical Cancer Screening
All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years

You will receive a letter from your local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) or GP asking you to make an appointment for screening. You can choose whether to have it done at your GP practice or family planning clinic.

Further information about cervical screening can be found on the NHS website.

Alcohol Misuse - Screening & Brief Intervention
Research has identified alcohol as a major contributor to the global burden of disease, disability and death across the globe.

AUDIT C is a simple screening tool to pick up the early signs of hazardous and harmful drinking and identify mild dependence.

If you would like to use the tool visit the MD+Calc website.

If you work or volunteer in Stockton on Tees and would like to attend free brief intervention & advice training please contact Gemma Mann in the SBC Public Health Team on tel: 01642 524293

Healthy Heart Check
The Healthy Heart Check aims to help you lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and kidney disease. You are eligible if you are aged between 40 and 74 and can answer NO to the following questions:

• do you have any of the following conditions?
• coronary heart disease
• stroke
• chronic kidney disease
• hypertension
• peripheral arterial disease
• heart failure
• Transient Ischaemic Attack
• diabetes
• atrial fibrillation
• have you had a Healthy Heart Check or NHS Health Check within the last 5 years?
• are you on medication for high blood pressure or a statin for cholesterol?
  

If you think you are eligible, call your GP Surgery to book a free Healthy Heart Check (NHS Health Check) Or you can contact one of the nurse facilitators directly:Rachel.Forgan@tees.nhs.uk Elaine.Salvati@tees.nhs.uk.

For further information about the Healthy Heart Check please visit the NHS Health Check website.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening is offered to men in their 65th year to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms - which is a dangerous swelling in the aorta. Men over 65 can self-refer.

Further information about AAA screening can be found on the NHS website.

Lung Health Check
Across Teesside a programme is underway that aims to raise awareness of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) while offering free lung checks for those who are eligible. If a person answers YES to 3 or more of the following questions, they are eligible for a free lung health check:

• are you 35 yrs or older and a smoker?
• do you feel short of breath during simple tasks like undressing or walking after a few minutes?
• do you cough several times most days?
• when you cough do you bring up phlegm?
• do you wheeze when you breathe?
  

If you have answered "yes" to three or more of the above questions you can ask your GP for a simple breathing test called "the Lung Health Check".

Further information about screening
For further information about NHS Screening Services, including those for pregnant women, babies and children, please visit the NHS screening website.