Screening Saves Lives
Screening helps find health problems early – often before you feel unwell. This means you can get the right support, closer monitoring, or treatment to stop things from getting worse.
It’s important to get to know your body. When you know what’s normal for you, it’s easier to spot when something changes. If something doesn’t feel right, speak to your doctor.
Screening Saves Lives is a project led by Public Health South Tees, supported by the Northern Cancer Alliance and the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Together, we want to help people understand what screening is, how it works, and why it matters.
We’re here to help you learn more about the national NHS screening programmes. These include checks for:
your tummy (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) / (AAA)
your bowel
your breasts
your cervix – Cervical Screening (smear test)
your general health – NHS Health Checks
Just received a screening letter? Not sure what it means, or what to do next?
You’re not alone. Lots of people have questions – and we’re here to help. On this page, you’ll find clear information about:
what each screening test looks for
how it works
who it’s for
Many people put off their screening because they feel unsure, nervous, or are just too busy. But screening really can save lives. It finds problems early, when they’re easier to treat, giving you the best chance of staying well.
Missed your appointment or haven’t had your invite yet? Don’t worry – we can help you know what to do next.
Scroll down to learn more about each screening programme.
Quick checks, huge difference
There are five national screening programmes
Click the links or images to learn more – or keep scrolling to see how you can reduce your risk of cancer.
Does cancer run in your family?
The Macmillan Cancer Family History Service at The James Cook University Hospital can help you find out if cancer in your family could increase your chance of getting cancer.
The team can:
Look at your family's history of cancer
Give information and support
Tell you if you may need extra screening or health checks
Arrange genetic tests if needed
You may want to contact the service if:
A close family member, such as a parent, brother, sister or child, has had breast or bowel cancer, and another relative on the same side of the family has also had cancer
More than one close family member has had the same type of cancer
Someone in your family got cancer at a young age
There is a known inherited cancer gene in your family
A man in your family has had breast cancer
Someone in your family has had more than one type of cancer
Find out more or complete a self-referral form on the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website.
Alternatively, contact the team via telephone - 01642 282629
Or, via Email stees.macmillan.cfhs@nhs.net
Reduce your risk of cancer
Did you know?
Around 4 in 10 cancer cases in the UK each year could be prevented – that’s over 135,000 people!
By taking 8 small steps, you can lower your risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses.
It’s not just about preventing disease, it’s also about helping you feel better, have more energy, and live a healthier life.
8 steps to reduce your risk of cancer
-
Drink less, feel better
Drinking too much alcohol can harm your health. It increases your risk of serious illnesses – including 7 types of cancer.
The good news? Cutting down or stopping completely can help you:
feel better in yourself
sleep more soundly
lower your risk of illness
How much is OK to drink?
To stay healthy:
adults should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week
spread these units over 3 or more days
try to have at least 2 alcohol-free days each week
if you’re pregnant, the safest option is not to drink any alcohol at all
Take a break at any time
Taking a break from alcohol – even for just a few weeks – can help you feel more in control.
You might have heard of Dry January or Sober October, but you don’t need to wait for a certain month. You can set yourself a challenge any time.
Doing it with a friend or family member can help keep you going – and even make it fun!
Worried about alcohol?
If you’re worried about your own drinking or someone else’s, you’re not alone, and help is available.
For more information, visit our Alcohol and Substance Use page to find support and advice that’s right for you.
-
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health; and your wallet.
Your body starts to heal almost straight away. After just three days without smoking, you might already find it easier to breathe.
Quitting also protects the people around you. When you stop smoking, your family and friends are no longer breathing in harmful smoke and you’re giving yourself the best chance to be there for them in the future.
You don’t have to do it alone. Stop smoking services are here to help – and with support, you’re up to three times more likely to quit for good.
Tried before? That’s OK. Many people need a few goes to quit, and every time you try, you’re one step closer.
Live in Middlesbrough or Redcar and Cleveland?
Call our Stop Smoking Service today on 01642 727579 and take that first step.
-
Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day is a great way to look after your health.
It can help protect you from serious illness. It also gives your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay strong and feel good.
Not sure what counts?
Fresh, frozen, tinned and dried fruit and vegetables all count. Even the vegetables in your takeaway can count too – but try to keep takeaways as a treat, not something you have often.
Try new things to keep it fun. Look for fruit or veg you haven’t tried before. Using seasonal food can add more choice. In winter, soups and stews are a good way to eat more vegetables. In summer, try colourful salads or fruit salads.
If you don’t eat much fruit or veg now, that’s OK. Start with one extra portion a day and build it up slowly.
Small changes can make a big difference to your health.
Need ideas? Visit the 5 a day page on the NHS website for simple tips on how to add more fruit and veg to your meals.
-
What we eat and drink can have a big effect on our health.
Being overweight can increase your risk of long-term health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It’s also linked to 13 types of cancer, including breast, bowel, kidney and liver cancer.
The good news is, you don’t need to give up your favourite foods. It’s all about balance. Try to enjoy treats now and then, not every day. Eating a mix of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains (like brown rice or wholemeal bread) and lean protein (like chicken, fish or beans) can help you stay healthy.
Small changes to your daily routine can make a big difference. Try to:
cook more meals at home
drink more water
move more during the day
Every step counts – and it’s never too late to start.
Find out how Public Health South Tees supports healthy weight and healthy lifestyles by visiting our Food and Nutrition page.
-
Nobody knows your body better than you. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible.
Finding a problem early can make a big difference – and in some cases, it could save your life.
10 signs and symptoms to look out for
These changes don’t always mean something serious, but it’s important to tell your GP if you notice any of them:
a lump or swelling that stays for a few weeks or gets bigger. Check your body often – including your breasts (boobs) and testicles – so you know what’s normal for you.
not sure how to check your boobs? Visit the Coppafeel website for some simple tips.
checking your testicles regularly can help you spot changes early. Visit the check your testicles page on the NHS website for more information
losing weight without trying
pain that won’t go away
changes when you go to the toilet – like blood in your poo or pee, going more often, or struggling to empty your bladder
feeling very tired all the time, even when you’re resting
sores that don’t heal after a few weeks.
changes to your skin, moles or warts – such as new shapes, sizes or colours
bleeding or discharge from anywhere in the body that’s not usual for you
indigestion or problems swallowing
a cough or hoarse voice that doesn’t go away
You know your body best. If something feels different or wrong – don’t wait. Even if you’ve got a screening appointment coming up, don’t put it off.
Speak to your GP as soon as you can.
-
Being active is one of the best things you can do for your health. The good news is – you don’t need to run marathons or join a gym.
Everyday movement counts. Walking, dancing, riding a bike or going for a swim – it all helps. Even small changes can make a big difference.
Taking the stairs instead of the lift? That counts.
Walking the dog or pushing a pram? That counts too.
You don’t need lots of extra time – just try to move more during your day.
Did you know that just one minute of fast walking counts as exercise? The NHS Active 10 app can help you track your steps and see how your movement adds up. Visit the get active page on the NHS website for more information.
Want a bigger challenge? Running is a great option – and it’s free. Not sure where to start? The NHS Couch to 5K app gives you short sessions that help you build up slowly. Visit the couch to 5k page on the NHS website for more information.
It can feel harder to stay active in winter when it’s cold and dark. Exercising with a friend can help keep you going.
Rather stay inside? That’s fine too. Try stretching, yoga or using a treadmill or exercise bike while watching TV. It all helps you feel better and stay healthy.
-
We know suncream can feel sticky or look shiny, but it really is your best friend on sunny days.
Even if you don’t burn easily, your skin still needs protection.
Suncream helps stop your skin from getting damaged. This can help lower your risk of skin cancer and stop your skin from ageing too quickly.
Make sure you put suncream on any skin that’s showing – even places you might forget, like your feet or the back of your neck. Reapply it if you’ve been swimming or sweating.
The NHS website has lots of helpful tips on:
how to stay safe in the sun
choosing the right suncream
protecting babies and young children
It’s a small step that makes a big difference to your health.
For more advice on how to stay safe in the sun visit the sun safety page on the NHS website.
There is also a page on Baby Sun Safety with helpful tips for keeping babies safe during hot weather. Visit the sun safety page on the NHS website for more information.
-
You can help protect your skin by checking your moles once a month. It is one of the easiest ways to look after your skin.
You can use the simple A.B.C.D. method to check your moles:
Asymmetry – Does one half of the mole look different to the other half?
Border – Is the edge of the mole uneven or not smooth?
Colour – Is the colour different from your other moles?
Dimensions – Has the mole changed shape or grown in size?
Millions of people in the UK check their skin regularly for signs of cancer. It is always better to check and be safe.
NHS South Tees have a video that shows you how to check your moles properly. To watch the video, visit YouTube.