How to book for screening
Breast Cancer
In England, every woman registered with a GP is invited for free NHS breast screening every 3 years between the age of 50 and 71. You will receive a letter with an appointment for screening with the date, time and place. You can change the appointment, please ring the unit.
If you have missed an appointment or if you have not been sent a letter by the age of 53, you can contact Pennine Breast Screening Service on (01274) 365521. They will send you an appointment for your breast screening.
The screening process is an X ray taken by a female member of staff.
Even if you have had a recent breast screening that was clear, you do not need to wait for your next breast screening appointment if you see any changes in your breast. You can make an appointment with your GP to discuss any concerns.
Also, if you are under 50 and feel you need to have a breast check, you can contact your GP.
Read the symptoms of Breast Cancer
Bowel Cancer
Anyone at the age of 50-74, who is registered with a GP and lives in England is sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit in the post, every 2 years.
You will receive a screening kit in the post with simple instructions on how to use it and return it. Once the screening kit is completed, and sent off, your test results are posted to you within 2 weeks.
If you have not completed your bowel screening kit or you have not received a kit, you can request a free screening kit by calling the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme on 0800 707 6060.
Also, if you’re worried about a family history of bowel cancer or have any symptoms you can speak to a GP, even if you have already completed a screening kit.
Cervical Cancer
In England, anyone with a cervix aged 25-64 is invited for cervical screening every 5 years.
The screening process helps find and treat any changes in the cells of the cervix before they can turn into cancer.
You will receive a letter in the post inviting you to book an appointment and you will be informed where to go for the screening. Most cervical screening is done in a GP surgery by a female nurse or doctor.
If you have missed your last cervical screening appointment, you can still book an appointment by calling your GP surgery.
It’s okay to ask if you’d like a woman to do the test (usually the doctors and nurses who take cervical screening samples are female). You can also ask if you’d like someone else to be in the room with you.