Screening for cancer
Coronavirus and cancer
We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help. If you have symptoms of cancer contact your doctor.
Cancer screening involves testing apparently healthy people for signs of the disease.
It can save lives by finding cancers at an early stage, or even preventing them. Screening is not the same as the tests a person may have when doctors are diagnosing or treating cancer.
Because of COVID-19, invitations and follow-up appointments for cancer screening programmes are being delayed.
The UK has 3 screening programmes
There is no screening programme for prostate cancer because thePSA testis not reliable enough, but men over 50 can ask their doctor about it.
There is no national lung cancer screening programme, but from Autumn 2019 the NHS will be offering a new service called肺Health Checksin some areas of England.
Benefits and harms of screening
We know that cancer screening saves thousands of lives each year. It can detect cancers at an early stage and in some cases, even prevent cancers from developing in the first place.
But screening is not perfect. The tests can miss cancers, and have other risks too.
Your choice
Whether or not to go for screening is your choice. You should read the information you are sent with your screening invitation to help you make an informed decision, and ask your doctor if you need help.
