Screening and early diagnosis

NHS Screening

Screening is a way of finding out if people are at higher risk of a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions. 

You will only be invited for screening if you are registered with a GP. If you aren’t registered, you can find a local GP on the NHS website.

The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population. See this short video from Public Health England which explains the basics of screening.

Diabetic eye screening

Diabetic eye screening is important as it helps to prevent sight loss. If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk of damage from diabetic retinopathy, see the NHS website, which is caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). Screening can detect the condition early before you notice any changes to your vision.

Diabetic eye screening uses digital photography and is not covered as part of your normal eye examination with an optician. Screening does not look for other eye conditions and you should continue to visit your optician regularly for an eye examination as well.

You can reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, or help prevent it getting worse, by:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (AAA screening)

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of checking if there's a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your tummy. This bulge or swelling is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, see information on the NHS website. It can be serious if it's not spotted early because it can get bigger and eventually burst (rupture).

In England, screening for AAAs is offered to men during the year they turn 65. This can help spot a swelling in the aorta early on, when it can be treated. The test involves a quick and painless ultrasound scan to check the size of the aorta.

If you're a man over 65 and have not been screened before, you can ask for a test by contacting your local AAA screening service directly, details can be found on the NHS website.

There are several things you can do to reduce your chances of getting an AAA or help stop one getting bigger which include:

Our Wellbeing advisors can help address these lifestyle issues - visit our Contact us page for details of your local Wellbeing team.

For more information about AAA screening, visit the NHS website. For information about all the screening tests offered to men, see this short video from Public Health England.

To find out about Cancer screening programmes, visit our Cancer screening page.

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