Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening service
The NHS offers a free screening test for men aged 65 and over to check for a condition called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
The aorta is a large blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Sometimes, the wall of the aorta in your tummy (abdomen) can become weak and swell like a balloon. This is called an aneurysm. If it gets too big, it can burst, which is very dangerous.
The screening test uses a simple ultrasound scan, like the ones used during pregnancy. It is quick, painless, and usually takes about 10 minutes. The scan checks the size of your aorta to see if there are any problems.
Screening helps find AAAs early, so doctors can monitor or treat them before they become a risk. If you are a man aged 65 or over, you will be invited for this test. If you’re older and haven’t been tested, you can ask for a scan through your GP or by contacting the service directly.
Lancashire & South Cumbria Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Service can be contacted on 0191 445 8747.
Further information can be found on the NHS Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening page.
Bowel Screening Service
The NHS offers free bowel screening to help find early signs of bowel cancer. This is available to everyone aged 54 to 74.
Bowel screening checks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo that you might not see yourself. This can be a sign of changes in your bowel that could lead to cancer.
The test is simple and can be done at home. You’ll receive a kit in the post with clear instructions. All you need to do is collect a small sample of your poo and send it back in the prepaid envelope.
If anything unusual is found, you might be asked to have more tests to check your bowel in more detail. Catching problems early makes them much easier to treat.
Bowel screening is an important way to protect your health, so don’t forget to complete your test when it arrives. If you’re over 74, you can still request a kit by calling the NHS bowel screening helpline.
If you need a replacement kit, have not received a kit or are over 74 and want to test you can contact the NHS bowel screening service on 0800 707 6060.
Further information on the service can be found on the NHS Bowel cancer screening page.
Breast Screening Service
Breast screening is for women aged 50 to 71 and is done every three years.
Breast screening uses a special X-ray called a mammogram to check for any changes in your breasts that you might not be able to see or feel. The test is quick and only takes a few minutes. Some people might find it a bit uncomfortable, but it doesn’t last long.
Finding problems early makes them easier to treat, which is why regular screening is so important. If you’re over 71, you won’t get invitations, but you can still ask for a screening through your GP or local breast screening unit.
Breast screening helps protect your health by spotting problems early, giving you the best chance of staying well.
The North Lancashire and South Cumbria Breast Screening Service can be contacted on 01524 518699 (9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday).
Further information on breast screening can be found on the NHS Breast screening page.
Cervical Screening
The NHS offers a free cervical screening test to help prevent cervical cancer. This test is for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
Cervical screening checks for changes in the cells of your cervix, which is the lower part of the womb. These changes can sometimes lead to cancer if they’re not treated. The test also looks for a virus called HPV, which can cause these cell changes.
The test is quick and only takes a few minutes. It’s done at your GP practice by a nurse or doctor who will use a small, soft brush to take a sample of cells from your cervix. Some people might find it a bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t hurt.
If any changes are found, you can get the care you need early to stop them from becoming serious.
If you’ve received an invitation for cervical screening, please contact us on 01772 254484 to book your appointment.
For further information on cervical screening visit the NHS Cervical screening page.