Screening

Screening is a way of identifying apparently healthy people who may have an increased risk of a particular condition. The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population. Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.

Screening in pregnancy

Pregnant women are offered the following types of screening:

• screening for infectious diseases (hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis)
• screening for Down’s syndrome, Patau’s syndrome and Edwards’ syndrome
• screening for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
• screening for physical abnormalities (mid-pregnancy/anomaly scan)

You will be offered these tests during you ante-natal appointments, the midwife or doctor you see will be able to explain them in more detail.

Screening for newborn babies

Newborn babies are offered:

• a physical examination, which includes the eyes, heart, hips and testes
• a hearing test
• a blood spot test to check if the baby has any of nine rare conditions

Your baby will be offered these whilst in hospital, or shortly after discharge. If your baby has not received these tests, please contact the surgery and we will be happy to arrange these for you.

Diabetic eye screening 

From the age of 12, all people with diabetes are offered an annual diabetic eye test to check for early signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Sexual health – the specialist sexual health services are based at the Orange Rooms in the Ashton Primary Care Centre and is provided by Locala. Telephone number 0161 507 9460. The website can be found www.locala.org.uk/services/sexual-health

Cervical screening 

Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every three years for those aged 26 to 49, and every five years from the ages of 50 to 64. Cervical screening is carried out in the GP surgery, please call to make an appointment with the practice nurse.

Breast screening 

Breast screening is automatically offered to women aged 50 to 70 every 3 years to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer. If you have not received your invitation for breast screening, please contact the surgery or call 0161 2914444.

Bowel cancer screening 

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, with 1 in 20 people developing it during their lifetime. However 98% of people diagnosed will survive if the cancer is found early.

A home testing kit is offered to men and women aged 60 to 74. If you’ve received a kit you can follow the steps and videos here to understand how to use it. If you wish to order a kit please contact 0800 707 6060.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening

An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, it’s extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or don’t survive surgery.

AAA screening is offered to men in their 65th year to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms. If you have not received your invitation for AAA screening, please contact the surgery and we will be happy to arrange this for you.