When cancer is found at an early stage, treatment is often easier and more likely to be successful. So finding cancer sooner rather than later can make a real difference.
Cancer Research UK has created an online tool to spot
signs and symptoms of cancer.
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms
If you notice any of these symptoms, it doesn't mean you definitely have cancer, but it does mean you should get checked out by your doctor. If it is something serious, spotting it at an early stage can make all the difference.
As well as knowing what to look out for, knowing what is normal for you and your body is important. If you do, it'll be easier to notice when something's different.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
If you're aged between 55 and 74 and have ever smoked, you may be offered an NHS lung health check (lung cancer screening).
Please visit Lung cancer screening - NHS for more information
Lung Cancer Screening
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
When you'll be invited
You'll automatically get your first invitation for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. You'll then be invited every 3 years until your 71st birthday.
If you’re transgender or non-binary and you would like to be invited for breast screening, ask your GP surgery for advice.
If you’re 71 or over
You will not automatically be invited for breast screening if you are aged 71 or over.
But you can still have breast screening every 3 years if you want to. You will need to call your local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.
If you're trans or non-binary
If you're a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary, how you are invited will depend on the sex you are registered with at a GP surgery:
- if you're registered as female with a GP surgery you will automatically be invited for breast screening
- if you're registered as male with a GP surgery you will not automatically be invited for breast screening
CERVICAL SCREENING
Who cervical screening is for
Cervical screening is for women between the ages of 25 and 64. Everyone with a cervix should be offered screening.
You'll be invited for screening every 5 years from when you're 25 to 64 years old. You'll get your first invitation a few months before you turn 25.
You may be invited more regularly if you have HPV.
If you're 65 or older, you'll only be invited if a recent test was abnormal.
You'll get an invitation through the NHS App, by text or by letter asking you to make an appointment and telling you how to book.
You can book an appointment as soon as you get an invitation.
If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for an invitation to book an appointment.
BOWEL CANCER SCREENING
Bowel cancer screening is a test you do at home that checks for signs of bowel cancer. It's offered to people aged 50 to 74.
Why bowel cancer screening is done
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK.
Bowel cancer screening uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your poo. This could be a sign of bowel cancer.
You collect the sample at home and send it by post to be tested.
It can help find cancer early, and before you have any symptoms, which may mean it's easier to treat.
Who bowel screening is for
Bowel cancer screening is currently offered to people aged 50 to 74 every 2 years.
This is because your risk of getting bowel cancer gets higher as you get older.
You can also get screening for bowel cancer every 2 years if you're aged 75 or over, but you need to call the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060 and ask for the test.