Screening

What is screening?

Screening allows for the early detection and treatment of potential health problems.

The main adult screening programmes in Wales are Bowel, Cervical, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Breast.

If you are concerned about changes to your health, do not wait for your screening appointment, talk to your GP now.

The benefits of screening:

Screening can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms.
Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective.
Screening can reduce the chance of developing a condition or its complications.
Some deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms, bowel cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer can be prevented.

What are the types of screening offered in Wales and how do I access it?

Bowel Screening Wales

Everyone aged between 50 and 74, who are living in Wales are invited to take the test every two years or from the date of your last result.

If you are aged 50, you do not need to contact us to request a test kit. You will automatically be invited between October 2024 and June 2025.

You can request a bowel screening test kit yourself: Bowel Screening - Public Health Wales

Cervical Screening Wales

Cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every 3 years for those aged 25 to 49, and every 5 years from the ages of 50 to 64.

Cervical screening can prevent cervical cancer from developing or pick it up at an early stage. The cervical screening (smear test) will look for high risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cell changes on the cervix. Finding cell changes can prevent cervical cancer from developing.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The aim of the Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme is to reduce the number of ruptured AAA and deaths in Wales.

Men aged 65 are invited to be screened if they are registered as living in Wales. An ultrasound is used to scan the abdomen to look for an AAA.

Why is taking part in AAA screening important?

There are usually no signs or symptoms if you have an AAA. This means that you may not feel any pain or notice anything different.

The easiest way to find out if you have an AAA is by having a one-off ultrasound scan of your abdomen.

If an AAA is found, you will be offered monitoring or treatment.

An AAA can happen to anyone, but it is most common in men aged 65 and over. You are more at risk if you:

Are a smoker.
Have high blood pressure.
Have high cholesterol.
Have a family history of AAA.

Webpage: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

Breast Test Wales

Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer and contact Breast Test Wales to make an appointment Contact Us1 - Public Health Wales.

Further information on NHS screening NHS screening - NHS