Female Health

Cervical Screening

It is recommended that women undergo Cervical Smear Screening every 3 years from age 25-49 and every 5 years from age 50-65. The Health Authority will contact you to let you know when you are due. You may make an appointment with one of our Nurses at the surgery, or if you prefer you may attend the S.A.F.E Clinic (Family Planning).

Breast Screening

Women aged 50-70 will be invited for breast screening every 3 years by the Health Authority.

Bowel Cancer Screening

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 69. People in this age group will automatically be sent an invitation, then their screening kit, so they can do the test at home. After your first screening test, you will be sent another invitation and screening kit every two years until you reach 69. If you are aged 70 or over, you can ask for a screening kit by calling the Freephone number.

Spirometry

If you have ever smoked for more than 20 years we recommend you have a spirometry test. Spriometry is a special breathing test to test your lungs. The test takes about 15 minutes, and is carried out by our Health Care Assistant - please book an appointment if you have not had this test and have EVER smoked for 20 years or more. About 1 in 5 smokers develop a lung problem called COPD, and it is important to be diagnosed as early as possible. By the time a smoker develops symptoms of COPD often over 50% of lung function has already been permanently lost.

NHS Health Check

NHS Health Checks are being offered free to people aged between 40 and 74 once every 5 years. The check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or diabetes. The check is based on straightforward questions and measurements such as sex, family history, height, weight and blood pressure. There will also be a blood test (finger prick) to measure your cholesterol level. You will not need this check if you have ever been diagnosed with high choloesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, kidney problems or any sort of heart problems. Contact Reception now to check your eligibility and book your appointment.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. About 46,000 women get breast cancer in the UK each year. Most of them (8 out of 10) are over 50, but younger women and in rare cases men, can also get breast cancer.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites over 2 million women for screening every year and detects over 14,000 cancers. Dr Emma Pennery of Breast Cancer Care says - " Breast X-rays called mammograms, can detect tumours at a very early stage before you'd feel a lump. The earlier it's treated, the higher the survival rate ".

Find out more about breast cancer screening.

Macmillan Cancer Research

The causes and symptoms of breast cancer in women and explains how it is diagnosed and treated.

NHS

Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention & screening information.