Cancer Research UK : Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Questions about cancer screening

Image of doctor performing endoscopy for bowel cancer

Here are some frequently asked questions about cancer screening. You can find out more on our News & Resources and CancerHelp information sites.

What is cancer screening?
Screening for cancer involves testing large groups of healthy (i.e. non-symptomatic) people to look for early signs of some cancers. This can help doctors find these cancers at an early stage, or even spot early signs that suggest cancer is likely to develop. This makes treatment simpler and more likely to be effective.

What cancers can people be screened for in the UK?
In the UK, women can currently be screened for breast, cervical and bowel cancer. Men can be screened for bowel cancer.

Why should I go for screening?
Screening can help to find cancer at an early stage, when the cancer is likely to be small, more easily removed and less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. Cervical and bowel cancer screening can even detect abnormal changes before they develop into cancer, allowing these to be treated before cancer can develop.

How accurate is cancer screening?
No screening test is 100% accurate. That’s why it is important to remember that screening is just one way to help find cancer early. It is also important to know your body, to be aware of signs and symptoms that may indicate cancer and to see your doctor promptly if you notice any changes.

You're mounting such a big campaign - is cancer screening in crisis?
No. The Screening Matters campaign aims to build on the successes of the screening programmes to date and on the promising results expected from bowel cancer screening. Thousands of people are alive today thanks to the national cancer screening programmes but there's still room to do more. We want to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from the best possible programmes.

Are people dying because they're not being screened?
We know cancer screening could save even more lives if uptake of screening services could be increased. For example, research by Professor Max Parkin at the Wolfson Institute, London, calculates that there will be 20,000 fewer deaths from bowel cancer over the next 20 years thanks to the roll-out of the bowel cancer screening programme.

What is Cancer Research UK doing to develop screening tests?
Cancer Research UK is carrying out projects aiming to improve on tests used currently in the NHS national screening programmes for breast, cervical and bowel cancer. We are also investigating ways of detecting other types of cancer, which could form the basis of new screening programmes in the future.

Where can I find more information on different types of cancer?
Visit Cancer Research UK’s patient information website. Click on ‘specific cancers’ then on the type of cancer you are interested in.

I’ve got questions about cancer – who can I speak to?
You can call Cancer Research UK’s specialist information nurse team on 020 7061 8355 or freephone 0808 800 4040.