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.
Screening can find the signs of serious conditions before any symptoms develop.
If a condition is found early:
Regular screening can reduce the number of deaths from certain conditions.
While screening can improve quality of life and prevent deaths through early diagnosis, no test is 100% accurate. There are risks involved in some types of screening.
It’s important to have realistic expectations of what screening can offer. Although screening can reduce the chance you’ll develop a condition or complications, it can’t always protect you from a particular illness.
Whether you’re a trans man, trans woman, identify as non-binary or describe your gender in another way, it’s important you’re aware of which screening services you’re eligible for.
Find out which screening services you’re eligible for as a non-binary or transgender person
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.
The NHS keeps a record of your personal screening information, including test results. All NHS staff must keep your personal health information confidential.
You have the right to see and get a copy of the information that the screening centre holds about you.
Screening test information (including test samples) may be used for research, education and training. Any information used in this way will have personal details removed.
The NHS regularly reviews screening services to make sure you’re offered the best service possible.
Screening information is used to:
You can find out more about how the NHS uses your information, and your rights concerning this, on the following pages:
AAA screening is offered to those who:
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 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.
These are usually caused by something other than cancer but it’s important to have them checked.
Routine breast screening is offered to those who:
Breast screening is also offered to:
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.
Most breast lumps (90%) aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by a medical professional.
Cervical screening is routinely offered to those who:
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.
These are usually caused by something other than cancer but it’s important to have them checked.
Diabetic eye screening (DES) is offered to those who:
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.
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.
Information in other languages and formats.
For alternative formats, please contact phs.otherformats@phs.scot