NHS Screening

I read that breast cancer is found in a high percentge of women over 70. I will certainly continue to ask for screening - anything that is going in the way of a health insurance is eagerly accepted. Why not?

Bowel cancer screening is at age 50 in Scotland.

Bowel cancer screening vital for me as both parents died from it in their 80s.
I would accept any screening available as I w@nt to r3main fit and healthy if possible

Bowel and breastscreening are essential in my opinion

I do still do the bowel cancer home test, having had six polyps removed at a colonoscopy.
As I've been celibate for twenty years I no longer have cervical test and haven't had breast screening either but do self examine.

Cervical screening is not offered after 65 if your last rest was normal and done within the last 5 years. What is important is that you report any bleeding promptly and you will be referred to a gynaecologist within 2 weeks.

I have already continued with breast screening. I just had to ring them when it was due and got an appointment for the mobile screening unit that visits our town! (Seeing it reminds me to book an appointment!)
Still do the bowel screening but had a hysterectomy with removal of cervix so no longer need that.

Anything the NHS is giving away - grab it before it goes forever!

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought cervical cancer was linked to sexual activity, given that it’s unknown (or so I’ve read) in nuns. And equally more likely in a person who’s had a lot of different sexual partners.

Someone I know used to be petrified of cervical screening, and in any case would tense up so much that it was difficult to perform.
But she’d never had any sexual partner, so I wondered why she was putting herself through it. She did eventually ask whether it was necessary, given her personal history, and they said no, in her case she could forget about it.

My mother developed cervical cancer in her mid 70s, it killed her.

I understand that not all cervical cancers are caused by sexual activity, just most of them. When I asked for one a few years back I was told that the neck of the cervix changes as we get older and the test doesn't work. My GP had a look and said there were no signs but I would prefer to have a proper check every few years if I could.

A friend discovered his bowel cancer from screening so I would like to continue that and the breast screening. A little discomfort every few years seems a small price to pay.

My breast cancer was picked up early by a mammogram and quickly dealt with, the same happened for a friend, so I am back on regular screening.

My daughter will get on the screening programme as soon as she can, as my mother also had breast cancer.

I was surprised to read the post from Hetty58. I can only offer my personal opinion that if I hadn't of had a mammogram which picked up Stage 2 breast cancer and cervical smear test which showed big changes in the cells I wouldn't be alive today.

I feel screening has saved my life as no signs at all for the above and I was very shocked as none of these female cancers in the family at all. Thank goodness for screening and our wonderful NHS.

I had my last smear test last year. Nothing I have read suggests that they can be requested after 65. So Im ok with that!!

I refuse to have Breast Screening as I had a Benign Lump removed in 2006 (I had previously been referred to Hospital in 2001). Because of the position & the fact the lump had increased in size I was referred for removal of the lump, I was rushed back into Hospital twice following the operation & had to have a 2nd operation as I was verging on Septicemia (Sepsis). I have signed a disclaimer letter & have been removed from the screening list. (I am 64)

No longer called for Cervical Smear Test & wouldn't request one.

Don't do Bowel Cancer Test at home as I have Ulcerative Proctitis & am screened by the Hospital, no sign of Cancer on my Colonoscopy but I do have non-cancerous polyps as well. I can't see the point of doing the test at home as well although I was told I could do both, more money wasted by duplication. I was referred for a Colonoscopy after I saw my GP with symptoms which I knew needed investigating.

I believe whether to take part in a screening programme or not is a personal choice. No history of cancer in my family, parents or grandparents.

I was told that I couldn't carry on with cervical smear after 65 I would definitely have it again if I could.

I had breast cancer and a lump removed at age 64 and have had regular screening since. I had it again a few months ago. I requested it as I am at a higher risk for any cancer. I also sent back the bowl cancer screening test and have had to have coloscopy and gastroscopy in the last 6 months because of stomach problems. Those actually didn't show cancer but did show ulcers, which were treated. I will request a mammogram again in 3 years, if I remember

Oh Laurensnan there are no words. Since being on this forum I'm shocked at how many people seem to have lost children. Big hug.

15% of new breast cancer diagnoses are after the age of 70 and your risk of getting it never goes with age. Cervical cancer happens too in the elderly. Bowel cancer remains a risk the whole of your life. If the tests are available I'd always have them. My son died from cancer at age 26. His risk of getting cancer was very rare but he was one of the unlucky ones. Same with us all, you never know if you will be that rare statistic for your age. Grab every test you can. Statistics are just that, be it 1 in 10 or 1 in 10,000. Someone has to be that 1 .

I will still have mammogram even though my breast cancer wasn't found by mammogram and I will still do bowel test although I am on list to have colonoscopy in 3years due to cancerous polyp found a few years ago .

Thanks for your replies I meant you won't be recalled after that age but you can still have the test done on request. Which after your input I'll definitely do! I read that the age for the FIT bowel screening is going to be lowered to 50 ( or it has already in some areas?) which is great news for our adult children!

The bowel cancer screening saved my life!

BlueSky I believe that your information is incorrect so checked out NHS Breast Screening FAQ and found this:

Why does breast screening stop at 70?

It does not stop at 70.

Although women aged 71 and over are not routinely invited for breast screening, they're encouraged to call their local breast screening unit to request breast screening every 3 years.

My aunt developed breast cancer after the age of 70. Like others have said, I will continue to use the screening services offered.

Great story M0nica! I was thinking about that, I know they say statistically screening doesn't really saves lives but surely your father 's case is an example.

I am fortunate to have good health and rarely see a medical professional, So as well as screenings. I ask to be seen by the nurse for an annual blood pressure, blood and urine test.

I have before me the experience of my father, who attended a 'Well Man' clinic at his surgery. In his late 80s they found blood in his urine and found he had bladder cancer in its earliest stage.

He lived another 4 years, living independently to the end. He just had to visit outpatients twice a year to have any patches of cancer that had occurred lasered off. He lived to be 92 and his bladder cancer was still well under control. It was a heart problem that caused his death.

Screening doesn't actually save many lives at all. The statistics are often misinterpreted, though:

www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening/research/what-screening-statistics-mean