NHS SCREENING PROGRAMMES

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

AAA screening is an ultrasound test which is offered to all men during the year they turn 65. Its aim is to find aneurysms early and monitor or treat reducing the chances of serious problems. Men over 66 can contact the screening office to arrange an appointment.

If you have any questions or have missed your appointment please contact Lancashire and South Cumbria AAA Screening Programme on 0191 445 8747 or visit the website: NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel Cancer Screening is offered to all men and women aged 60-74 years every 2 years. Those aged 75 or over can request screening by calling 0800 707 6060. The test can detect invisible early signs of bowel cancer.

A test kit is sent out to each patient every 2 years with full instructions. The test kit has recently changed. Only one sample is now needed, making it much easier to take part.

If you have been invited to take part and need more information or a new test kit, please contact: freephone 0800 707 6060.

Bowel Cancer Screening is for patients with no bowel symptoms. If you have any bowel symptoms or changes in your bowel habit, please make an appointment to see a GP.

For more information, please visit the website NHS Bowel Cancer Screening

Breast Screening

Breast Screening (or Mammography) is offered routinely to women aged from 50 to 70 (before their 71st birthday) every 3 years. Eligible women will receive their first invitation before their 53rd birthday. Older women can self-refer by calling the Breast Unit on 01524 518699 (9am – 4pm Mon-Friday) or via email bsu.rli@mbht.nhs.uk. Patients who have any accessibility requirements are also asked to contact the Breast Unit to arrange their screening appointment.

Unfortunately, due to the pause in breast screening services during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a delay in patients receiving their invitations. Please see Breast Screening - North Lancashire & South Cumbria for more information.

About 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it's detected early, treatment is more successful and there's a good chance of recovery.

Breast Screening looks for early signs of cancer in women with no breast symptoms. If you are experiencing any breast symptoms such as a lump or thickening of the breast, or you have any breast changes, please make an appointment to see a GP. Do not wait until you are called for screening.

For more information, please visit the website NHS Breast Cancer Screening.

Cervical Screening

Cervical Screening (smear test) is offered to women aged from 25 to 49 every 3 years, and women aged from 50 to 64 every 5 years.

This screening checks the health of your cervix and looks for the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which puts you at higher risk of developing cervical cancer in the future. The test will be taken by one of our experienced female nurses. It may be a little uncomfortable but should not hurt. It only takes a few minutes. It is the best way to prevent cervical cancer and saves 4500 women each year from developing cervical cancer. 

If you are unsure about taking part or have any questions, please contact the surgery to make an appointment with one of our Practice Nurses.

For more information, please visit the Jo's Trust website - Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust

Diabetic Eye Screening

Offered annually to people with Diabetes aged 12 and over. Referral to Diabetic Eye Screening is offered at a patient's Annual Diabetic Review which usually takes place around month of birth.

Diabetic Eye Screening check for eye conditions caused by Diabetes. It aims to catch problems before they start to affect your eye sight.

For more information, please make an appointment with a Diabetic Specialist Nurse at the surgery.

Newborn Screening

Newborn hearing, physical examination (for problems with eyes, heart, hips and testes) within 3 days of birth and again at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Newborn blood spot (for 9 rare conditions) is also carried out.

For more information, please visit NHS Pregnancy and Baby / Newborn Screening

Screening in pregnancy

- Sickle cell and Thalassaemia (ideally by 10 weeks).
- Infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis).
- Down's syndrome, Edward's syndrome and Patau's syndrome.
- 11 physical condtions in the baby (20 week scan).
- Diabetic Retinopathy (for women with Diabetes).

For more information, please visit NHS Pregnancy and Baby / Screening Tests in Pregnancy