Cancer tests: a guide to the different screenings

A breakthrough blood test able to detect 10 types of cancer before symptoms emerge could soon become available on the NHS.

Scientists at Grail, the cancer research start-up funded by Amazon and Microsoft founders Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, found the test was able to identify genetic traces of cancers, including those that are difficult to detect early, such as ovarian.

“New techniques for precision early diagnosis would unlock enormous survival gains,” said Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England.

So until that time comes, which cancer tests should you be having – and asking for?

Prostate cancer

Symptoms: Passing urine more often, with more urgency, frequent waking in the night, difficulty passing urine, leaking urine, blood stained urine or erection problems.

The test: Prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer to become the third biggest cancer killer in the UK, causing 11,800 deaths per year. However, there is currently no nationwide screening because there isn’t a reliable prostate cancer test yet.

There is a prostate cancer test called the PSA blood test; PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a protein found in the blood and a high level can be a sign of prostate cancer. However, levels can also be raised in benign (non-cancerous) prostate conditions.

Men over 50 can ask their GP for a PSA blood test, but some studies suggest the test doesn’t reduce the number of men dying from prostate cancer, with Cancer Research UK saying more research is needed to find a better screening test.

Breast cancer

Symptoms: a lump (although 90pc of breast lumps aren’t cancer) or thickening in the breast tissue, a change in breast size or shape, bloody discharge from the nipple, a puckering, dimpling or rash on the skin around the breast, nipple changes or a lump or swelling in your armpit.

The test: One in eight women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer and if it’s detected early there’s a good chance of recovery. All women aged 50 to 70 are involved for breast cancer screening every three years, where a type of x-ray known as a mammogram can detect cancer.

In some areas women are invited at 47, as part of a trial of earlier screening. However, you may be eligible for even earlier screening if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or the BRCA gene. Dubbed the ‘Jolie gene’ after Angelina Jolie, who has the gene and had a preventative mastectomy, carriers have a 70pc chance of getting breast cancer compared to the average woman’s changes of 12pc.

Cervical cancer

Symptoms: Bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause, or pain during sex or in your pelvic area.

The test: 25 to 49-year-old women are invited for a smear test every three years in the UK, a screening programme that has resulted in cases of cervical cancer decrease by 7pc each year since its launch in the 1980s. Fifty to 64-year-olds are invited for a smear test every five years, but if they experience any symptoms (see box) they should see their GP. However, if you experience symptoms at any point see your GP.

Bowel cancer

Symptoms: Bleeding from your bottom, a persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, tiredness or a pain or lump in your stomach.

The test: Bowel cancer is a common cancer in men and women (around one in twenty will get it during their lifetime). However, with early diagnosis over 90pc of people survive bowel cancer, compared to 10pc diagnosed with late stage bowel cancer.

The NHS sends everybody aged 60 to 74 a home test kit, which involves collecting a small sample of your stool which is then put in a sealed envelope and sent off to be tested.

A one-off test, called bowel scope screening, is also currently being rolled out by the NHS in England to everybody over 55. However, it may not be available in your area yet. Screening involves a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end being used to look inside your bowel.

Ovarian cancer

Symptoms: famously vague and often mistaken for something else, research has found 90pc of women don’t know the symptoms of ovarian cancer which can include stomach pain, bloating, feeling unusually full after eating, urinary pain, increased urination and unusual bleeding. 

The test: An early ovarian cancer screening tool is currently being developed. “In the mean time, there is no actual ovarian cancer test but if you have symptoms that last for a week or two, ask your GP for a CA125 blood test, which is a bio-marker,” says Katherine Taylor, chief executive of Ovarian Cancer Action.

Skin cancer

Symptoms: The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has an ABC guide to checking your moles and freckles for skin cancer: A for asymmetry - are the two halves of a mole differently shaped? B for border - are the edges irregular or blurred? C for colour - is it uneven, with with different shades of black, brown or pink? D for diametre - most skin cancers are at least 6mm in diameter. Has the size changed? E is for expert - if you answer yes to these questions speak to your GP.

The test: There’s no official screening programme for skin cancer in the UK, but rather people are encouraged to speak to their GP if they experience symptoms and to take protective measures, like applying sun cream.

A recent study from BAD found 80pc of us fail to in the UK sun. Another study – published in the British Journal of Dermatology – has found cases of skin cancer in the UK are set to rise by 78.2pc between 2010 and 2025. The Mole Clinic offers top-to-toe mole checks nationwide, including yearly full body mole checks and single mole checks.

The Harley Street Clinic also has a skin clinic offering mole mapping and removal.

Bile duct cancer

Symptoms: Jaundice (which can include yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), itching of the skin, light coloured stools, dark urine, unexplained tiredness, pain under the ribs, feeling generally unwell, stomach pain, fever or vomiting. 

The test: Helen Moremont, from AMMF, the UK’s only bile duct cancer charity, says that cases of bile duct cancer  also known as cholangiocarcinoma – is on the rise in the UK, yet nobody knows why. “If you have symptoms that don’t improve, ask your GP to run a liver function test,” she says. 

“However, the key thing to remember in all this is in most cases, these symptoms aren’t due to cancer,” says Dr. Jasmine Just from Cancer Research UK. “And don’t forget the basics. Four in ten cases of cancer can be prevented, so stack the odd in your favour; don’t smoke, don’t drink too much alcohol, lose excess weight if you need to, keep active and eat a healthy, balanced diet.”