We offer a range of clinics and services here at Soho Square General Practice to help with cancer screening.
Bowel Cancer
Bowel cancer is a term used to describe cancer in the colon, rectum or the small bowel.
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- Bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your stools
- A change in normal bowel habits to diarrhoea or looser stools, lasting longer than 4 to 6 weeks
- A lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or abdomen (more commonly on the right side)
- A feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you needed to pass a bowel motion)
- Losing weight
- Pain in your abdomen or back passage
- A lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)
Because bowel tumours can bleed, cancer of the bowel often causes a shortage of red blood cells. This is called anaemia and may cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
How do I get a screening kit?
If you are aged 60-69 years, you will be sent your screening invitation automatically through the post. All you need to do is make sure that your GP has your correct address.
‘People aged 70 years and over or under the age of 60, who wish to be screened, should request a kit. Simply telephone the free helpline on 0800 707 60 60.’
Breast Screening
Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, often before there are any symptoms. To do this, an x-ray is taken of each breast (mammogram). Early detection may often mean simpler and more successful treatment. When women are invited for their mammogram depends on which GP they are registered with, not when their birthday is.
The screening office runs a rolling programme which invites women by area. The requirement is that all women will receive their first invitation before their 53rd birthday, but ideally when they are 50. If you are under 50 and concerned about any aspect of breast care, please contact the surgery to make an appointment with your GP.
Useful links:
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening, which used to be called smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It’s offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. You will receive a letter when your cervical screening test is due. Please call us on 0203 405 6570 to book an appointment. How often you are invited depends on your age.
- Age Under 25 – Invites sent up to 6 months before you turn 25
- 25 to 49 – Every 3 years
- 50 to 64 – Every 5 years
- 65 or older – Only if a recent test was abnormal
As a practice we know that our patients often have concerns about attending these appointments for many reasons. If you are concerned about the procedure or have questions regarding your cervical smear please contact reception on 0203 405 6570 and ask for an appointment or telephone call with one of nurses to discuss your concerns.
Our nurses are fully trained in cervical smear procedures and will be happy to provide you with advice and guidance. For further information on cervical smears please use the following links:
The Eve Appeal – The Leading UK Gynaecological Cancers Charity
https://eveappeal.org.uk/
Macmillan Cancer Support
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/cervical-cancer
NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/
