NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
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. There are three national cancer/pre-cancer screening programmes in England: Bowel, Breast and Cervical.
If you notice any worrying signs, symptoms or changes that are not normal for you, please do not wait for a screening invitation – go and see your GP.
What is screening?
Screening is a way of identifying apparently healthy people who may have an increased risk of a particular condition. The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population.
- Female lifetime screening pathway: https://youtu.be/LNCYsTU96VA
- Male lifetime screening pathway: https://youtu.be/MHUnW_Z_-jI
The aim is to offer screening to the people who are most likely to benefit from it.
Here is a selection of screening videos from West Yorkshire and Harrogate, Health and Care Partnership which can also be found below in different languages and sign language.
The following screenings are available in Norfolk and Waveney:
Future Developments: Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC) and Genetics
Targeted Lung Health Checks – (Lung Cancer Screening)
In 2022, the Targeted Lung Health Check programme started to roll out in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. The programme aims to identify Lung Cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat. It is targeted at anyone aged 55 – 74 who is a current or ex-smoker. Over the next 5 years it will expand to cover the remainder of Norfolk and Waveney.
For more information, visit the websites below:
Genetics, genomics and cancer
Most cancers are not hereditary. But some people have inherited faulty genes that increase their risk of developing some types of cancer. Genetic testing is available for some of these faulty genes.
What are genes?
Our bodies are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Inside nearly every cell is a set of genes. Genes are the instructions for your body to work. Genes carry instructions to make proteins. Proteins are messengers for the cell. They help the cell work properly.
Genes are made up of a chemical called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is made up of 4 chemicals called bases. The bases are arranged on 2 long strands that twist round each other like a rope. A gene is a short section of this rope. Genes are organised into structures called chromosomes. Each chromosome is made up of many genes. Chromosomes are arranged in pairs. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the centre (nucleus) of nearly every cell in your body. Your complete set of DNA is called your genome. Everyone’s DNA is made from the same 4 bases. But the way these are arranged is unique to you. Scientists can now look at the order of all the DNA in a cell and examine a person’s DNA. This is called whole genome sequencing.
What is genomics?
Genomics is the study of the body’s genes. Cancer develops because of changes in the genes. Understanding the cancer’s genes can also be important when planning treatment. Cancer genomics looks at how genes are linked to cancer. This can help doctors to:
- understand how genes cause cancer to develop and grow
- choose or develop new drugs that target a specific gene change in the cancer cells
- plan a person’s treatment based on the genes of the cancer cells – this is called personalised medicine or precision medicine.
Further information is available below:
Lynch Syndrome
There are two types of cancer, (colorectal and gynae cancer) where local care pathways are in place to provide genetic testing and counselling for a condition called Lynch syndrome which can increase your risk of getting these and some other forms of cancer. Learn more about Lynch syndrome here.
NHS-Galleri trial
Norfolk and Waveney is also participating in the NHS-Galleri trial, which is a prospective, randomised, controlled trial to assess the performance of a multi-cancer early detection blood test for population screening in the United Kingdom. The trial is designed to establish if screening with the Galleri test reduces the incidence of late-stage cancer and around 140,00 people have volunteered to take part. The primary objective is to demonstrate a significant reduction in the incidence rate of stage III and IV cancers diagnosed. Find out more here.
NHS programme offering BRCA-testing to those with Jewish ancestry
NHS England is offering free BRCA gene testing for anyone living in England, aged 18 or over with one or more Jewish grandparent, or any type of Jewish origin (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi etc). In line with medical research, it is now considered best practice to offer BRCA gene testing to all Jewish people, irrespective of their own personal or family history of cancer.
Further information:
Understanding hereditary links to pancreatic cancer
There is national work underway to improve our understanding & baseline screening of patients known to have or diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The NHS are working with general practices and acute hospitals to recruit people with a family history of pancreatic cancer and people who have been diagnosed with hereditary pancreatitis into the EUROPAC study. Those who are at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer will be offered screening.
Further information: