Screening – Imperial College

On this page you’ll find information about the screening checks offered on the NHS.

Screenings are to prevent cancers or detect early signs of cancers, in people that do not have any symptoms.

If you have symptoms that you are worried could be related to a cancer (red flags), please contact us.

Cervical cancer screening

Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. 

Cervical screening is not recommended for anyone under 25 years old who has not been invited.

Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.

It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.

If you have questions or concerns about this test, you can book a telephone consultation with our nurse.

The rules around how often you may be offered a cervical screen have changed.

Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer.

NHS breast screening uses X-rays, called mammograms, to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel.

This is not arranged at the surgery.

Everyone aged 60 to 74 is offered a bowel cancer screening home test kit every two years.

If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

This is not arranged at the surgery.