1. Screening for Life 2017

2. Objectives:
To provide staff with an awareness of the Screening for Life campaign
Highlight how all staff can help play a part to support the campaign
To provide a basic overview of the NHS adult screening programmes
To empower staff to actively engage in a ‘healthy chat’ about screening
Screening for Life 2017

3. What is Screening for Life?
Screening for Life is an annual campaign that runs throughout the month of July
The campaign is coordinated by the Screening Engagement Team
Aims to raise awareness of the importance of screening and enable informed choices to be made
Screening for Life 2017

4. How can you help?
You can all help play a part to support Screening for Life and raise awareness of screening. You can do this by:
Engage in a ‘screening chat’ with patients
Give out an information screening resource to everyone that attends your GP Practice
Signpost patients to screening information
Share information with your Practice staff
Screening for Life 2017

5. What is screening?
Screening looks for early signs of disease or condition in people who do not have symptoms
Finding a condition early gives you the best chance of early treatment and survival
You may feel well even if you have early signs of a condition
Screening for Life 2017

6. What is screening?
No screening test is 100% accurate and some conditions may be missed
If you have any questions about screening, contact your local screening office, GP or practice nurse
Taking part in screening is your choice
Screening for Life 2017

7. Available screening Women Men & Women Mother and Baby
Cervical screening
Aged 25 – 64
Breast screening
Aged 50 – 70 (over ’s–if you ask)
Men & Women
Bowel screening
Aged
Mother and Baby
Antenatal screening
Newborn bloodspot
Newborn hearing
Anyone with diabetes
Diabetic eye screening – 12 and over
Men
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Men 65 or over
Screening for Life 2017

8. Cervical screening
Cervical screening (a smear test) can save lives by preventing cancer from developing in the cervix (neck of the womb)
Women aged 25 – 49 are invited for screening every 3 years. Women aged 50 – 64 are invited every 5 years
A smear test is carried out GP surgeries or at some sexual health clinics.

9. Cervical screening
A smear test involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix using a soft brush
Your sample will be sent to a laboratory
You will receive your results by post within 4 weeks of your test
If changes are found, you may need a test called a colposcopy which looks at your cervix in more detail. This test will be done at your local hospital

10. Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer
Visit your GP if you have any of these symptoms:
Bleeding or pain during or after sex
Bleeding between periods or after your periods have stopped
Unusual vaginal discharge
Lower back pain

11. Breast screening
Breast screening can save lives through finding breast cancer early
Women aged 50 to 70 are invited for a breast x-ray every 3 years
If you are over 70, you can ask for a breast screening appointment by phoning Breast Test Wales

12. Breast screening
You will be screened at a breast screening mobile unit or at a breast screening centre
You will receive your results by post within 3 weeks
You may need more tests if changes are seen on your x-ray. If breast cancer is found, you will receive treatment at your local hospital.

13. Be Breast Aware Know what is normal for you
Know what changes to look and feel for
Visit your GP if you notice a change

14. Bowel screening
Bowel screening can save lives through finding bowel cancer early
Men and women aged 60 – 74 are invited to take part in screening every 2 years
The test looks for hidden blood in your stool (poo) sample
Bowel Screening Wales will automatically send out a screening test, which you can do at home

15. Bowel screening
They will send you your results by post within 2 weeks of receiving your completed test
If blood is found, you may need a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is where a small flexible camera is inserted into your back passage to look at the lining of your bowel. The test will be offered at your local hospital.

16. Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer
Visit your GP if you have any of these symptoms:
Bleeding from your bottom, traces of blood in your stool (poo)
Change in bowel movements (such as constipation or diarrhoea) for 3 weeks or more
Unexplained weight loss
Unexplained anaemia
Severe stomach pains, especially after eating

17. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
AAA screening can save lives by finding a swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta (main blood vessel) in the abdomen
Men who are 65 years old will be invited for a one-off screening test. If you are over 65, you can ask for an appointment by phoning your local screening centre

18. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
AAA screening involves a simple ultrasound scan and is the best way of finding an AAA
AAA screening is carried out in community clinics
You will be given your result at the time of your test
If your aorta is bigger than normal, you will be offered regular scans to check its size. If your AAA is large you may need to have an operation

19. How can I reduce my risk of getting an AAA?
There are no signs or symptoms of an AAA, but you can reduce your risk of getting one by making lifestyle changes.
Don’t smoke
Move more
Drink less
Eat well
Take medication prescribed by your GP

20. Diabetic eye screening
Eye screening can prevent sight loss by finding retinopathy (a complication of diabetes) at an early stage
All people aged 12 and over with a diagnosis of diabetes are invited for regular screening
Digital photographs of the retina (the ‘seeing part’ of the eye) are taken and examined for signs of diabetic retinopathy

21. Diabetic eye screening
Screening is carried out in local health care clinics and mobile units
You (and your GP) will be sent your results by post within 4 weeks of screening
If you need more tests you will be offered an appointment with your local hospital eye specialist

22. Keeping healthy Move more
Being active can reduce your risk of developing a serious illness
Aim to be active for at least 2 ½ hours a week
Drink less
Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of heart disease, cancer and liver damage
If you want to keep the risks low, drink no more than 14 units a week
Aim to have several drink-free days a week

23. Keeping healthy Eat well
Eating fruit and vegetables may help reduce your risk of developing serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease
Don’t smoke
Stopping smoking will improve your health
Stop Smoking Wales offers free, local NHS support
Stop Smoking Wales:

24. Activity:
In small groups discuss how you can start a conversation about screening with the people that you meet or speak to on the telephone.
Feedback to the group
Screening for Life 2017

25. Here are some ideas.....
Did you know that July is Screening for Life month?
To support the Screening for Life campaign we are helping to raise awareness about other screening programmes. Did you know that you are eligible for
Are you up to date with your smear / bowel screening etc?
Did you know that when you turn 60 you will be eligible for bowel screening?
Do you have any male relatives aged 65 or over?
Screening for Life 2017

26. Support advice you can give
Signpost to further information and support
Make people aware of the different screening tests and why they are important
Offer practical advice to overcome barriers e.g re-arranging appointments, explaining how to do the bowel kit
Ask people to share screening information with family and friends
Screening for Life 2017

27. For further information
Please contact:
Helen Jessop–Screening Engagement Specialist
Tel:
Screening for Life 2017