Focus On: Shining a spotlight on screening programmes

Advice and Information - 6 August 2025

Earlier this year, Healthwatch Stockport developed and published a series of informative screening programme fact sheets. During August, we want to shine an extra spotlight on these handy fact sheets and the importance of screening.
It's our 'hot topic' for this month!

Importance of Screening

Screening is a way of finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information can be given to help them make informed decisions.

The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population. The aim is to offer screening to the people who are most likely to benefit from it.

In the case of Cancer screening, it is crucial for early detection, improving treatment outcomes, and even preventing some cancers altogether. By identifying cancer at an early stage, screening can significantly increase survival rates and reduce the need for extensive treatment. It can also detect precancerous conditions, allowing for timely intervention before cancer develops.

Should I have screening?

Screening is a personal choice. To help you to decide whether to have screening, you will be given information about:

  • what the screening test involves
  • the different benefits and risks of having screening.

It is important to understand this so that you can make an informed decision.

 

 

Screening Fact Sheets 

Our fact sheets are designed to give you quick access to the information you need around different types of screening. We've produced six fact sheets as follows. 

Printed versions of the fact sheets are available. Please see the relevant article or contact the team on 0161 974 0753. 

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