The importance of cancer screening

Why cancer screening is so important

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than the cure. This is particularly pertinent when it comes to cancer screening, which could make a life-changing difference to you and your loved ones.

According to the World Health Organisation, screening is essential for the early detection of several common cancers. In particular, screening can help to diagnose cancers of the:

• Breast
• Cervix
• Mouth
• Larynx
• Colon/rectum
• Skin.

What many of us may dismiss as harmless symptoms, for example, digestive discomfort, may be indicators of something more serious. Thankfully, the diagnosis is not often serious, but there are a number of factors that can affect this including age and genetics.

At York Against Cancer, we believe it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Find out more about the screening procedures available to you below.

What is cancer screening?

Screening involves medical tests to detect any early signs of cancer. It’s important to note that screening is not the same as cancer diagnosis or treatment. Rather, the tests look for warning signs, which may then lead to further diagnostic tests. As such, healthy people with no symptoms can have screening tests.

Some common examples of cancer screening tests include:

Mammography

This test detects changes in the breast tissue which could indicate cancer. The doctor will take an X-ray of the breast (mammogram) and look for any signs such as lumps or thickened areas.

Colonoscopy

This test for bowel cancer involves a colonoscope, which examines the rectum and colon using a flexible tube with a lens. It detects abnormal growths which doctors can then remove.

Faecal tests

Bowel cancer can also be detected through stool samples. Your doctor will send you a test to do at home, which involves sending in a sample to be analysed for traces of blood.

Cervical screening

Otherwise known as a smear test, this is offered to women aged between 25 and 64 to check for any changes in cervical cells. The doctor will take a small sample of cells from the cervix to look for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) cells.

Who needs cancer screening?

It’s important for everybody to be aware of changes to their health, regardless of their age or lifestyle. If you notice any changes in your skin, digestive habits, weight or pain levels, you should always visit your doctor.

Scheduled cancer screening appointments are usually based around the patient’s age or medical history. Your local healthcare provider should send you a letter without prompting if it’s time to take a routine screen test. This may simply be because you have reached a certain age, for example:

• At age 25, women will receive a letter from their local NHS trust inviting them for a cervical screen. These should take place every three years.
• At age 60, residents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive a bowel cancer home testing kit (age 50 in Scotland). Those over 74 years of age can request these every two years.
• At age 50, women will receive a breast screening invitation from the NHS.

Please note, you must be registered with an NHS doctor to receive these invitations. Other types of screening may be offered at younger ages if you have a condition. For example, diabetic eye tests are available from the age of 12.

If you’re concerned about your health or genetic conditions, ask your doctor for an appointment. You can also check your screening eligibility with this simple questionnaire from Cancer Research UK.

Why is screening so important?

If you meet any of the above criteria, or you’re concerned about changes in your body, screening could save your life. Research has shown that screening and early detection have:

• Reduced cervical cancer incidence and deaths by 70% since 1950
• Achieved a 91% 5-year survival rate for colon cancer sufferers, compared to 11% for late-stage diagnoses
• Increased 5-year survival rates for breast and prostate cancers to 98-100%.

As you can see, the chances of a prolonged and healthier lifestyle are far higher with a few simple tests. There’s no shame in taking a cancer screening test, and it could just change your life.

Why do people ignore screening invitations?

There is no obligation for you to attend a screening appointment. Your healthcare provider will get in touch, and then it is up to you to schedule a test. While this is highly recommended, people may decide against it for various reasons.

Fear

The idea of a further cancer testing is frightening, and it’s understandable to want to put off any bad news. However, the test is by no means a guarantee of a positive result. It’s always best to go sooner rather than later to keep risks to a minimum.

Embarrassment

Some tests are more invasive than others, for example colonoscopies or smear tests. Your doctor will have performed this procedure hundreds of times and will put your mind at ease.

Smear tests seldom take more than two minutes, with some minor discomfort, while colonoscopies may offer mild sedation.

Risks

As with any medical procedure, there is a mild element of risk to cancer screening. For example, breast cancer screening may lead to ‘overdiagnosis’, wherein potentially harmless cancers are treated.

There may be minor bleeding with some exams such as smear tests, while others could lead to false positives or negatives.

This is why the NHS only focuses on the most effective screening tests. For example, there is no Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA test) programme in the UK as the test is considered too unreliable at this stage. You may ask your doctor for a test if you’re a male over 50.

What screening programmes are available in the UK?

The UK currently offers three screening programmes, which means all patients registered with a doctor’s surgery will receive a screening invitation at some point in their lifetime.

The reason there aren’t more screening programmes is simply down to research and reliability. Doctors want to focus on the tests which will ultimately save lives. However, research is ongoing all the time, with new developments into lung and ovarian cancer under way.

At the moment, registered UK residents have access to the following programmes:

• Bowel cancer screening
• Breast cancer screening
• Cervical cancer screening.

As of autumn 2019, there are also lung health checks available in certain parts of England, but these apply to smokers or ex-smokers. You can check the locations here.

How can I access a screening appointment?

If you meet the age criteria (60+ for bowel, 50+ for breast and 25+ for cervical cancer), all you need to do is register with a doctor. If you’re a woman over 70, you can self-refer for breast cancer screening.

There are over 200 different types of cancer, but the most common forms are breast, lung, prostate and bowel. If you would like screening for a different type of cancer, your doctor may be able to offer blood tests or refer you to a private specialist. You can find out more about payable private screening here.

Ask us if you’re not sure

If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, contact the York Against Cancer team. We may be able to refer you to local practices for certain types of screening, and can offer support if you do require treatment.

Remember – there is no shame or embarrassment in screening. It’s over quickly and could just save your life.