Cancer Screening & Leaflets

For further information relating to national Cancer campaigns - 'Be Clear on Cancer', screening & patient awareness', please use the links below:

Bowel Cancer

Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life, If you have any concerns or if things just don’t feel right, make an appointment to see your Doctor.

Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
A change in bowel habit lasting for three weeks
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy

Simple bowel cancer home testing kit to be offered to all men and women aged 60 to 74 - see: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-bowel-cancer-screening-test

What is a FIT test?

The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) detects traces of human blood in stool samples. The test is simple to use and can be done at home. It is now being used as the primary test in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

Further information about the FIT test [EXTERNAL PDF LINK]

New symptoms diary for patients experiencing bowel problems

A new symptoms diary has been developed by Beth Purvis, for people that are worried about their bowel habits. www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/news/download-our-brand-new-symptoms-diary

Beth was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer at 37 years old. The main symptoms she experienced were constipation and diarrhoea with significant bleeding from her bottom. Her GP put it down to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but Beth believes if she was keeping a diary of her symptoms her GP would have taken her seriously and referred her for further testing sooner. She may have been diagnosed at an earlier stage when treatment has the best chance of working and a greater chance of survival.

The symptoms diary, pioneered by Beth and supported by Coloplast, aims to help keep track of a person’s symptoms before they visit their GP. This will give a good indication to your doctor whether you need further tests. You may not remember all your symptoms during your appointment so having something written down can be useful.

Every year almost 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK, making it the fourth most common cancer and second biggest cancer killer. However it shouldn’t be because it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Although bowel cancer is more common in the over 50s it can affect people of all ages, more than 2,500 people under 50 are diagnosed with the disease in the UK every year.

Breast Cancer

Please call 01992 560001 to speak with the Epping Breast Screening Service based at St Margarets Hospital.

Cancer Education Programme

Don't leave it any longer to find out more about Cancel Out Cancer, or to volunteer to deliver sessions to your community - call 01707 685 397 or email enhertsccg.engagement@nhs.net

More information can be found at hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk/stay-well-1/cancel-cancer

Cervical Screening

A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina.

Detecting and removing abnormal cervical cells can prevent cervical cancer.

www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-cervical-cancer-screening
www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening
www.gov.uk/guidance/cervical-screening-programme-overview
www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/what-happens-during-cervical-screening

Support for patients

Cervical screening: support for people who find it hard to attend – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Guidance to support people who find it hard to attend cervical screening due to a mental health condition, previous traumatic experience or sexual and/or domestic abuse.

Supporting women with learning disabilities to access cervical screening – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Cervical screening extra support checklist (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Information for transgender people – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Leaflet for women considering screening – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Leaflet to send to someone referred for colposcopy GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Further help and support for cervical screening – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

To opt out of Cervical Screening:

Patients

CSAS does not communicate directly with patients other than through the submission of the following forms:

Opt-out form (Patient)

Cervical Smear Results

Norfolk and Norwich University NHS Foundation Trust Cytology Service will provide patients with results via a letter. Please note this can take up to 6 weeks.