Cancer Screening

• Breast Screening
• Cervical Screening
• Bowel Screening
• Local activities to promote cancer screening in Haringey

What is breast screening?

Breast screening is a method of detecting breast cancer at an early stage. The first step involves an x-ray of each breast - a mammogram. The mammogram can detect small changes in breast tissue which may indicate cancers which are too small to be felt either by the woman herself or by a doctor.

The stage at which a woman has breast cancer diagnosed greatly influences her survival chances. In general, the earlier the detection, the greater the chance of survival.

At what age are women invited for breast screening?

Women between the ages of 50 and 70 will be routinely invited once every three years. Women over 70 can still access breast screening once every 3 years but need to make their own appointment by calling 020 8951 4045 or visiting the North London Breast Screening Service (NLBSS) website (external link) who provide breast screening in Haringey. Screening is organised according to your GP practice.

• For further information on the local breast cancer screening services and if necessary, how to change your appointment / what to do if you didn’t attend your last appointment visit the North London Breast Screening Service (NLBSS) website (external link)

What breast changes women should report to their GPs?

All women need to know how their normal breasts look and feel so that they can report any changes early to their GP. To find out more about what changes women should look for get a copy of the ‘Be Breast Aware’ leaflet (available in 19 languages - external link).

Back to top

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman's cervix (the neck of the womb).

At what age are women invited for cervical screening?

All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years.

Cervical Screening Services in Haringey

Eligible women receive a letter in the post from their GP practice inviting them to make an appointment for cervical screening.

If you are not registered with a GP find your nearest GP by using the NHS online GP search (external link) or call NHS England on 0300 311 22 33 who will help you find and register with a local GP.

• A gynaecologist explains what cervical screening involves, why you should have it and how often - see video on the NHS Choices website (external link)
• For more information on Cervical Screening go to the external links section below

Back to top

What is bowel cancer screening?

The aim of bowel cancer screening is to detect bowel cancer at an early stage (in people with no symptoms), when treatment is more likely to be effective.

Bowel cancer screening can also detect polyps. These are not cancers, but may develop into cancers over time. They can easily be removed, reducing the risk of bowel cancer developing.

Who is eligible for bowel cancer screening?

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 69. People over 70 can request a screening kit by calling the free phone helpline number:0800 707 6060

How is screening conducted?

Men and women invited for screening will receive an invitation letter explaining the programme and an information leaflet entitled bowel cancer screening - the facts. The leaflet outlines the benefits and limitations of screening along with an explanation about what your test results mean and what happens next.

About a week later, a test kit will be sent out along with step-by-step instructions for completing the test at home and sending the samples to the laboratory. The test will then be processed and the results sent within two weeks.

• See the external links section below for further information on bowel cancer screening.

Back to top

Local activities to promote cancer screening in Haringey

We are keen to promote all three national screening programmes to our local communities. Activities being undertaken in Haringey to promote Cancer Screening include:

• A Cancer Screening Project began April 2010 to increase the number of people who attend breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening in Haringey. The project involves visiting community groups to conduct talks and discussions with them regarding screening and also raising awareness of breast, bowel and cervical cancer.
• Development of new local resources: NHS Haringey has researched, developed and designed new leaflets and posters to promote breast and cervical screening in Haringey.
• Conducting a bowel cancer screening campaign to increase the number of people attending bowel cancer screening.

If you would like to discuss any ideas regarding promotion within your community please contact Dr Will Maimaris, Public Health Consultant, on 020 8489 1142.

Back to top