What is screening?
Screening is a way of checking apparently healthy people using a screening test to identify those who may be at increased risk of a disease or condition, such as cancer. They can then be offered information, further tests and treatment to reduce their risk and/or any complications arising from the disease or condition.
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommends screening for particular conditions such as breast cancer and cervical cancer. Screening can be applied to the whole UK population or a special section of that population (such as all those with diabetes who are screened for an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy).
The UK NSC uses rigorous scientific methods and evidence to decide which conditions will be addressed by a national screening programme. If you're offered a screening test, it will give you an accurate indicator of your risk. This will help to catch and treat serious conditions sooner and save more lives. It also means that if you do have a condition, you'll be guided through the process of diagnosis and treatment.
What is testing?
In addition to screening tests offered to entire populations or groups of people, there are a wide range of medical tests that your doctor may recommend for you on an individual basis.
These tests aren’t automatically offered to the entire population because they may only apply if you have a certain condition, are at risk from one, or display specific symptoms.
Examples are cholesterol tests and blood pressure tests.
Screening on the NHS
There are many national screening programmes available on the NHS. If you’re registered with a GP, you'll automatically receive invitations for relevant screening tests throughout your life.
You don’t have to take up these invitations, but it’s strongly advised that you do. All screening tests are scientifically proven to be effective and could mean that a serious condition is spotted early, when it may be easier to treat.
NHS screening tests include:
- Antenatal screening for pregnant women, including examinations for Down’s syndrome, foetal abnormalities and some infectious diseases. For further details look at our information on antenatal screening.
- Newborn screening, which includes a top-to-toe physical examination of every newborn baby, plus a hearing test and a 'heel prick' or 'blood spot' test to check for cystic fibrosis, congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) and sickle cell anaemia. Read more in our section on newborn screening.
- Childhood screening: checks for height, weight, vision and hearing, all grouped under the 'school entry health check'. Read more in our section on health checks in childhood.
- Diabetic retinopathy screening for all people with diabetes aged 12 and over.
- Cervical cancer screening for all women aged 25 and over.
- Breast cancer screening for all women aged 50 and over (the age range of women eligible for breast screening will extend from age 47 by 2016).
- Bowel cancer screening for all men and women aged 60 and over.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening for men aged 65 and over.
Medical tests on the NHS
We all encounter the most common of these tests. When you register with a new GP, for example, your blood pressure is tested as part of the New Patient Health Check. In addition, a urine sample will be taken to confirm that your kidneys are working properly and to check for diabetes. Other common medical tests include:
Commercial health tests
As well as the screens and tests available through the NHS, there are commercial health checks that are designed to tell you more about your health and wellbeing. These range from fitness checks to tests of your mental agility.
Some commercial tests are worthwhile, but many are inaccurate, unreliable and are not based on firm scientific evidence. Others are simply designed to take money from you. Ask your GP for advice before taking a test that you're unsure about.
