Cancer Screening Services
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer screening is available to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. All eligible people who are registered with a GP (as female) automatically get an invitation by post.
Trans-men, who were assigned female at birth won’t get an invitation if registered as male with their GP. However, they’re still entitled to screening if they have a cervix.
The first invitation is sent to eligible people five months after their 24th birthday. People aged 25 to 49 receive invitations every three years. People aged 50 to 64 receive invitations every five years.
Find out what to expect during a cervical screening appointment.
Breast cancer
You'll automatically get your first invite to a breast cancer screening between the age of 50 and 53. After this, you’ll be invited every three years until you turn 71.
Routine breast screening now takes place within The Glassworks at the new Community Diagnostic centre. If you’ve received a breast screening letter, then you’ll need to call (01226) 432100 to book your appointment.
This video shows what to expect during a breast screening appointment.
Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer screening is currently available to men and women aged between 60 and 74. However, the programme is expanding to make screening available to everyone aged between 50 and 59 years old. This will happen gradually over four years and started in April 2021.
For the screening, you’ll use a home test kit, called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). This is sent directly to your home every two years to collect a small sample of poo which will be sent to a lab.
Updated: February 2025
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Clinical support group
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Cancer, Palliative Care, Pain and Older People
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Gastroenterology
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Women's and Sexual Health
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Clinical support area
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Service type
- Cancer
- Screening
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