Cancer
Learn more about cancer and how it can be screened and treated
What is Cancer?
What is cancer?
Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs.
1 in 2 people may develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. According to the NHS, In the UK, the 4 most common types of cancer are:
- Breast Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Bowel Cancer
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. Catching signs of cancers as early as possible is important to treating the condition - the earlier the symptoms are checked, the quicker you can be treated.
Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
It’s unlikely that the symptoms you suffer from are signs of cancer, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any symptoms of a potential cancer, please speak to your GP to get them checked.
Click the button below to visit the NHS website, where you can see potential signs of many different cancers. If you suffer from any of the symptoms, contact your GP for an assessment.
Lifetime Screening
All patients under the NHS are offered multiple opportunities to have themselves screened for possible cancers. Screening is always a choice and never forced upon patients, but if you’re concerned that you may have cancer symptoms, screening is the best way to find out.
You may have certain health conditions which leave you more vulnerable to cancers, or you may have a genetic disposition and want to make sure you’re okay. Whatever the reason, screening is available for you.
There are three national cancer screening programmes to help to diagnose cancer or risk of cancer earlier and improve the likelihood of successful treatment:
-Bowel cancer screening (FIT Test)
-Breast cancer screening (Mammogram)
-Cervical cancer screening (Smear test)
Take a look at the videos opposite to find out about the steps involved in cancer screening.
Bowel Cancer Screening- FIT Test
A FIT Test is a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) to detect small traces of blood within poo that could be a sign of cancer. The kit is sent by post every 2 years to those aged 60 to 74 years. If you are within this age range and have not yet received your kit, please call 0800 707 60 60. Over the next few years, the minimum age is gradually being reduced to 50 so you may receive the kit earlier. You can also call to request a kit if you are aged 75 or over and wish to continue to take part in screening but you will not be sent one automatically.
If you’d like to find out how to carry out your FIT at home, please watch the useful NHS video opposite.
Breast Cancer Screening- Mammogram
You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you'll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71. If you have not been invited for breast screening by the time you are 53 and think you should have been, contact your local breast screening service.
Breast screening is usually done by 1 or 2 female mammographers. You can ask them about any questions or concerns you have.
You'll need to undress, in a private changing area, so you are naked from the waist up.
You'll be called into the X-ray room where the mammographer will place your breast onto the X-ray machine. It will be squeezed between 2 pieces of plastic. This takes a few seconds and you need to stay still.
The X-ray machine will then be tilted to one side and the process will be repeated on the side of your breast.
If you would like to learn more about how your mammogram will go, please watch the video opposite.
Cervical Screening- Smear Test
A smear test checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. This is not a test for cancer, but a test to help prevent cancer. All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter. During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. This sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called "high risk" types of HPV.
If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.
If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
The nurse or doctor will tell you when you can expect your results letter.
The video opposite shows what to expect during your screening appointment.