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.
The NHS offers a range of screening tests free of charge to specific groups of people. The aim is to screen those who are most likely to benefit from it. For example, some screening tests are only offered to newborn babies while others like breast screening and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening are only offered to older people.
An expert group called the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises the NHS on which screening programmes to offer. The UK NSC regularly reviews its recommendations on screening for different conditions as new research becomes available. This is usually done every three years.
Uptake for screening in Nottinghamshire is similar to national levels but there has been a decline in cervical screening uptake for younger women (aged 25-49) both locally and nationally.
The public health team monitors the local screening programmes and seeks assurance that they are being offered in a way that meets local health needs.
Below is information on screening programmes delivered by the NHS and training resources.
There are five NHS young people and adult screening programmes:
NHS bowel cancer screening programme (BCSP)
Bowel cancer causes about 16,700 deaths in the UK each year. Bowel cancer screening can detect bowel cancer at an early stage when treatment is most likely to be effective.
People aged 60 to 74 are automatically invited to take part in bowel cancer screening every two years. This age range is gradually being extended, so that by 2025 people will receive invitations every two years from the age of 50 to 74. People aged 75 and over can request screening every two years via a self-referral process.
Bowel screening looks for blood in a stool sample. Those eligible receive a home test kit by post and return the collected sample for laboratory analysis.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about the NHS bowel cancer screening programme (BCSP)
NHS breast screening programme (BSP)
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer. There are about 12,000 breast cancer deaths in the UK every year.
Breast screening is offered every three years to women aged 50 up until their 71st birthday. Breast screening uses an x-ray test called a mammogram to check for signs of cancer. If detected at an early stage, there is a good chance of recovery. Women aged 71 or over can request breast screening by contacting their local breast screening service.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about the NHS breast screening programme (BSP)
NHS cervical screening programme (CSP)
Cervical screening looks for abnormal cells in the cervix which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer. In England, cervical screening currently prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths.
Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. It is offered every three years for those aged 25 to 49, and every five years from the age of 50 to 64.
Screening takes a small sample of cells from the cervix and tests for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause abnormal cell changes which can develop into cervical cancer. If abnormal cervical cells are found they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Visit the NHS website to find out more about the cervical screening programme (CSP)
NHS diabetic eye screening (DES)
Diabetic eye screening checks for signs of diabetic retinopathy, caused by diabetes, which damages the small blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye. If left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.
DES is offered every one or two years to anyone with diabetes aged 12 or over. Extra screening tests are offered to people who have diabetic retinopathy but do not yet require treatment and to pregnant women who have diabetes because the risk of sight loss is greater in these people.
Drops are put in the eyes to temporarily make the pupils larger and images of the retina are taken.
Visit the NHS website to find out more about the diabetic eye screening (DES) programme
NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening checks for weakness and swelling of the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down through the chest and abdomen. Men aged 65 and older are most at risk of having an AAA. An AAA will often cause few or no obvious symptoms. If it is not detected early, it could get bigger and eventually burst. A burst AAA is usually fatal.
Men are invited for screening when they are aged 64 or 65. AAA screening involves an ultrasound scan of the abdomen to measure the width of the aorta.
There are six NHS antenatal and newborn (ANNB) screening programmes offered at different times during pregnancy and after birth.
The ANNB screening timeline outlines when pregnant women and newborn babies should be offered the screening tests.
NHS sickle cell and thalassemia (SCT) screening programme
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic condition in England and causes the red blood cells to become sickle shaped. This can lead to life‐threatening acute and chronic restricted blood flow to organs. People with thalassemia need a blood transfusion every two to five weeks, as well as injections and medicines throughout their lives.
SCT screening should be offered before 10 weeks of pregnancy and the baby tested for SCD at five days old as part of the newborn blood spot screen. Early identification of SCD and thalassemia leads to early support and more effective treatment.
NHS infectious diseases in pregnancy screening (IDPS) programme
Pregnant women are offered screening for three infectious diseases: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and syphilis.
IDPS is offered as early as possible in pregnancy and retesting is available at any time in pregnancy if the woman changes her sexual partner or feels she may be at risk.
Specialist care and treatment can be offered to protect the mother’s health and significantly reduce the chance of the baby being infected.
NHS fetal anomaly screening programme (FASP)
The FASP offers screening to all eligible pregnant women to assess the chance of their baby being born with Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome and 11 physical conditions.
Screening is via a blood test and an ultrasound scan. Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome screening is offered at around 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. The baby’s ultrasound development screen is offered at around 18 to 21 weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnant women are supported to make timely personal, informed reproductive choices based on accessible, accurate and evidence-based information.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about the NHS fetal anomaly screening programme (FASP)
NHS newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) screening programme
The NIPE includes four specific screening tests to find out whether the baby has a suspected problem with their eyes, heart, hips or testes, plus an overall physical check.
The newborn examination is carried out within 72 hours of birth. A second infant examination screen is needed between six and eight weeks of age because some conditions appear later.
NHS newborn blood spot (NBS) screening programme
The NBS screening programme enables early identification, referral and treatment of babies with nine rare but serious conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Six of the conditions are inherited metabolic diseases. Samples in Nottinghamshire are also screened for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) as part of a national evaluation to look at how this could be introduced across England.
Parents are offered the NBS screen for their baby (also known as the heel prick test) when the baby is five days old. The NBS screening programme helps to improve babies’ health and prevent severe disability or even death.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about the NHS newborn blood spot (NBS) screening programme
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about SCID screening: helping you decide if you want this for your baby
NHS newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP)
The NHSP identifies babies born with a permanent childhood hearing impairment (PCHI). In England, on average, 1,400 babies each year are diagnosed with a permanent hearing impairment. Most of these babies are born to families with no history of hearing loss.
Ideally the hearing screen should be offered before the baby is four weeks old, but it can be done up to three months of age. Gentle clicking sounds are played into the baby’s ear via a small soft-tipped earpiece. Sometimes a second screen is required that involves placing three small sensors on the baby’s head, neck and shoulder and playing the clicking sounds via headphones.
Finding and managing hearing loss early gives babies a better chance of developing language, speech and communication skills as well as making sure their families receive the support they need.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about the NHS newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP)
Below are some useful training resources if you would like to learn more about screening.
NHS England elearning for healthcare Hub: Introduction to Population Screening
