Screening tests identify certain diseases and conditions before symptoms appear so that treatment can be started early.
In Scotland, screening is offered for:
Pregnancy and newborn screening are also offered to pregnant people and newborn babies.
Young children are offered vision screening as they start school.
Your screening appointments
You'll be invited to be screened based on your age and/or sex. This is because you've a higher chance of developing certain diseases and conditions depending on your age and (sometimes) sex.
You'll be invited to screening appointments by a letter sent to your house.
Make sure your GP practice always has your current address so you're invited to the right screening programme at the right time.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
AAA screening is offered to those who:
- are male (or assigned male at birth)
- are 65 years or older
- have not been screened for an AAA before
You should receive a letter with your screening invitation. If you haven't received your letter, you can arrange an appointment by phoning your local AAA screening centre.
Bowel screening
Bowel screening is offered everyone aged 50 to 74.
The screening test should be repeated every 2 years.
The test can be done at home. The Scottish Bowel Screening Centre will send you a free test kit every two years.
If you’re 75 or over, you can still take a bowel screening test every 2 years. However, you’ll need to request a new test kit each time.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP if you experience:
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood in your poo
- a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habits
- unexplained weight loss
- extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- a pain or lump in your abdomen (tummy)
These are usually caused by something other than cancer but it’s important to have them checked.
Breast screening
Routine breast screening is offered to those who:
- are female
- are aged 50-70
- have not had a screening test in the last 3 years
Breast screening is also offered to:
- non-binary people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), and haven't had breast removal surgery
- trans women who are taking hormones
- trans men who haven't had breast removal surgery
You should receive a letter with your screening invitation. If you haven't received your letter, you can arrange an appointment by phoning your local breast screening centre.
If you're over the age of 70 you can continue to have breast screening, but you'll need to arrange your own appointment every 3 years.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP if you experience:
- a lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
Most breast lumps (90%) aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by a medical professional.
Cervical screening
Cervical screening is routinely offered to those who:
- have a cervix (the entrance to the womb)
- are between 25 and 64 years old
- haven't had a screening test in the last 5 years
If you're on non-routine screening (where screening results have shown changes that need further investigation or follow up) you'll be invited for cervical screening up to 70 years of age.
You should receive a letter with your screening invitation. If you haven't received your letter, you can arrange an appointment by contacting your local GP practice.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP if you experience:
- unusual discharge
- bleeding after sex, between periods or after the menopause
These are usually caused by something other than cancer but it’s important to have them checked.
Diabetic eye screening (DES)
Diabetic eye screening (DES) is offered to those who:
- have diabetes
- are over 12 years old
You should receive a letter with your screening invitation. If you haven't received your letter, you can arrange an appointment by contacting your local diabetic eye screening service.
Pregnancy, newborn and children's screening
All expectant parents will be offered screening during pregnancy.
All new parents will be offered screening for their child after birth.
All children will be offered eye screening as they are starting school.
Other languages and formats
Information in other languages and formats.
For alternative formats, please contact phs.otherformats@phs.scot