Cancer Screening and Support

NHS Screening

Screening is a way of finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions.

Website
www.nhs.uk/nhs-screening

The Cancer Support Centre

Offering support to anyone affected by cancer. That could mean you have a diagnosis, or you are supporting someone with a diagnosis.

Phone
0300 012 0245

Website
www.suttoncancersupport.org

Email
info@suttoncancersupport.org

Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is when abnormal cells in the breast begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a growth (tumour).

Breast cancer starts in the breast tissue, most commonly in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast. It is the most common cancer in the UK. It mainly affects women, but men can get it too.

Mammograms for breast screening

A mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts. X-rays use high energy rays to take pictures of the inside of your body.
Breast screening with a mammogram can help to find breast cancers early when they are too small to see or feel.
The health professionals who take mammograms are called Mammographers and a female Mammographer will usually take your mammogram.
The mammogram itself only takes a few minutes, but the appointment may last about 30 minutes.
Before you go, you should have been sent some information about the risks and benefits of having a mammogram for breast screening. Talk to your local screening unit or GP if you haven’t received anything.

Who has breast screening?

Impacts of COVID-19 on screening

Breast cancer screening is still going ahead in the UK, but because of COVID-19 there are delays. You might have to wait longer for your screening test or a follow-up appointment. There might also be changes to what happens at your appointment to keep you safe. This includes the staff following strict guidance on infection control to protect you and themselves. This means that you won’t be able to take someone with you to your appointment. Your results might be delayed, so ask at your appointment how long it might take and who to contact if you haven’t heard in that time. It’s important to remember that screening is for healthy people with no symptoms. If you notice any unusual changes to your body that don’t go away, talk to your doctor. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but it’s best to get it checked out.

Breast cancer symptoms

The first symptom of breast cancer most people notice is a lump in their breast or some thickening.

Breast symptoms to look out for:

A new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit

A change in size, shape or feel of your breast

Skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin

Fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breast feeding

Changes in the position of the nipple

These symptoms listed here are more often caused by other medical conditions. But if you have any of them it is important to see your doctor.

Bowel cancer screening

Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.

Cancer is when abnormal cells start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. The cells can grow into surrounding tissues or organs and may spread to other areas of the body.

Bowel cancer screening

Bowel screening aims to find cancer early or to find changes in your bowel that could lead to cancer.

The screening programmes send a bowel cancer testing kit every 2 years to people who can take part.

You need to be registered with a GP to receive your screening invitations.
The test is called FIT – Faecal Immunochemical Test. It looks for tiny traces of blood.

You do the test at home. The kit contains instructions of what to do including a prepaid envelope to send the sample to the hospital.

You should get the results within a few weeks. The letter will tell you what you need to do next.
There are benefits and risks.

Who has breast screening?

Impacts of COVID-19 on screening

Bowel cancer screening is still going ahead in the UK. But because of COVID-19, there are delays. You might have to wait longer for your home-testing kit or a follow-up appointment. There might also be changes to what happens if you need a follow-up appointment. This includes the staff following strict guidance on infection control to protect you and themselves. This means that you won’t be able to take someone with you to your appointment. Your results might be delayed, so ask at your appointment how long it might take and who to contact if you haven’t heard in that time. It’s important to remember that screening is for healthy people with no symptoms. If you notice any unusual changes to your body that don’t go away, talk to your doctor. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but it’s best to get it checked out.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

Symptoms of bowel cancer can include a change in your normal bowel habit or blood in your poo. They can also be symptoms for other conditions, but it’s important to see your doctor.
Bowel cancer can start in the large bowel (colon cancer) or back passage (rectal cancer). It is also called colorectal cancer.

Possible symptoms of bowel cancer

The symptoms of bowel (colorectal) cancer can include:

Bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your poo

A change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation

A lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy (abdomen), more commonly on the right side

A feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo), even after opening your bowels

Losing weight
Pain in your abdomen or back passage
Tiredness and breathlessness caused by a lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)

Sometimes cancer can block the bowel. This is called a bowel obstruction.

The symptoms include:

Cramping pains in the abdomen
Feeling bloated
Constipation and being unable to pass wind
Being sick

A bowel obstruction is an emergency. You should see your doctor quickly or go to A&E at your nearest hospital if you think you have a bowel obstruction.

Cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a growth (tumour).

If not caught early cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues and may spread to other areas of the body.

Cervical Cancer Screening (Smear test)

The NHS cervical screening programme invites women aged between 25 and 64 for cervical screening. Screening also applies to other people within this age range who have a cervix, such as trans men. The screening test aims to pick up changes early that could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

Who has cervical screening?

The NHS cervical screening programme invites women from age 25 to 64 for cervical screening. You get an invite every 3 years. You need to be registered with a GP to get your screening invitations

Who has breast screening?

Impacts of COVID-19 on Screening

Cervical screening is still going ahead in the UK. But because of COVID-19, there are delays. You might have to wait longer for your screening test or a follow-up appointment. There might also be changes to what happens at your appointment to keep you safe. This includes the staff following strict guidance on infection control to protect you and themselves. This means that you won’t be able to take someone with you to your appointment. Your results might be delayed, so ask at your appointment how long it might take and who to contact if you haven’t heard in that time. It’s important to remember that screening is for healthy people with no symptoms. If you notice any unusual changes to your body that don’t go away, talk to your doctor. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but it’s best to get it checked out.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Early cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cell changes don’t usually have symptoms.

Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will have symptoms, that’s why it’s important to attend regular cervical screening.

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer include:

Unusual vaginal bleeding
Pain or discomfort during sex
Vaginal discharge
Pain in the area between the hip bones (pelvis)

There are many other conditions that cause these symptoms. Most of them are much more common than cervical cancer. You should see your doctor if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding, or any of the other symptoms mentioned here. Although your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer, it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

NHS Screening

The Cancer Support Centre

Breast cancer screening

Bowel cancer screening

Cervical cancer screening

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The Oaks Medical Centre