This section offers current and comprehensive information and resources on the three principal National UK Screening Programmes (Breast, Bowel and Cervical). These programmes play a pivotal role in the early detection and management of cancer, ultimately improving health outcomes across the population.
GatewayC Podcast ‘GP’s Talk Cancer’ - National Screening Programmes Breast, Bowel and Cervical
The GatewayC GPs Talk cancer podcast: National screening programmes episode discusses the importance, impact and limitations of the breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening programmes in the UK. Discussion about how the programmes are offered, the benefits of increased patient uptake, plus some of the barriers to attendance and how primary care health professionals can help.
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Time to watch: 43 minutes
Breast Screening
Breast screening uses mammography radiography to detect small changes in the breast before other symptoms or signs of breast cancer develop. If breast cancer is found at an early stage, there is an increased chance of breast-conserving surgery and a better prognosis for long-term survival. The NHS Breast Screening Programme saves around 1300 lives each year in the UK1.
What is the NHS Breast Screening Programme?
The NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) of the NHS breast screening programme gives a brief overview of the programme including eligibility.
Time to read: approx. 3 minutes
Cancer Research UK – Overview of the Breast Cancer Screening Programme
The CRUK breast screening programme overview describes the breast screening test, patient eligibility including for trans and non-binary people, promoting informed choice with links to patient supporting information. It also includes information about screening and surveillance for patients at an increased risk of breast cancer.
Time to read: approx. 5 minutes
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening is available to anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 to 64 in the UK. The cervical screening test can identify people with HPV infection and facilitates the identification of changes to cells in the cervix which could develop into cancer if left untreated.
Cervical screening saves at least 2,000 lives each year in the UK. Now that human papillomavirus (HPV) primary testing and vaccination have been implemented across the UK, we can expect to see cervical cancer incidence decrease even further, with more lives predicted to be saved2.
CRUK Bowel Cancer Screening
The CRUK bowel screening programme overview describes the three different UK Bowel cancer screening programmes including age and eligibility. It includes information to encourage uptake and information to tackle health inequalities. It has a link to a one-page infographic detailing the differences between screening and symptomatic FIT that can be printed.
Time to read: with links approx. 15 minutes
Bowel Cancer Screening ‘at a Glance’
One page overview that can be printed as a reference guide.
CRUK Bowel Cancer Screening at a Glance
Time to read: approx. 3 minutes
What is the NHS Bowel Screening Programme?
The NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) for the NHS bowel screening programme gives a brief overview of the programme including eligibility.
Time to read: approx. 3 minutes
Cancer Research UK – Bowel Screening Good Practice Guide
Comprehensive guide to the UK bowel screening programme including eligibility, how to support patients in informed participation, addressing barriers and practical tips and resources. Also includes some template letters, texts and telephone scripts for follow up of non-responders.
Bowel Cancer Good Practice Guide
Time to read: approx. 30 minutes