It is really important to use any screening services offered to you. They can detect serious diseases. If you catch the disease early, you have a better chance of treating it successfully.
Cancer screening
In England, the following cancer screening is offered free of charge to all patients registered with a GP practice:
- Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64. The screening is done at your GP practice. You will be invited for an appointment by letter.
- Breast cancer screening (known as a mammogram) is offered to women aged 50 to 70. Women aged 70 and over can self-refer. The screening is done at a local hospital. You can take someone with you or ask for an interpreter. You will be invited for an appointment by letter.
- Bowel cancer screening is offered to men and women aged 60. You do the screening test yourself at home using a test kit which is sent to you in the post. You return it by post.
- Lung cancer screening is available to anyone who has had a cough for more the three weeks. You do not need to see a GP first or make an appointment. You can walk in at the following venues: Seacroft hospital (LS14 6UH) , St George’s Centre Middleton (LS10 4UZ), Leeds General Infirmary (LS1 3EX. Find out more:
Latent TB screening
If you have Latent TB it means you carry the TB bacteria but you do not have symptoms.
If you are from certain countries that are not in the EEA (Economic European Area) and have arrived in the UK in the last 5 years you can currently access free NHS testing for Latent TB in Leeds.
It is a good idea to take the test because it will show if you need treatment to stop it developing into a serious illness.
You find out more getting a free test here:
To find out more, speak to your GP practice or Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust:
NHS Health Checks
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up for adults in England aged 40-74. It will check if you have early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. You will be invited for a health check by your GP practice once every 5 years.
