All about Preventative Screening Programmes

Who is the Preventative Screening Team

LIS, BONNIE, SARAH, JAYNE, LAUREN, LIZ, and SUE. We all work together as a part of the screening team at Maison la Pape.

The screening services aim to reduce your risk and detect problems early before you experience symptoms. In the Preventive Screening Programmes Team, we work hard to ensure that these screening programmes are easily accessible. This is done so that treatment can be offered, or information given to help you make informed decisions. We offer Bowel Screening, Diabetic Retinal Screening, Breast Screening and Cervical Screening.

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening (smear) is a free opt-in serviceand available to women and anyone with a cervix who is aged 25-49, every 3 years and 50-64 every 5 years. The test checks the health of your cervix and involves taking a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix, which helps us detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as well as spotting abnormal changes so we can treat them early.

If you have any of the following symptoms, please don’t wait to be screened, consult your doctor as soon as possible:

• Bleeding between periods, during or after sex, or after menopause
• Changes to vaginal discharge
• Pain during sex

To participate in this screening programme, you can either book your free test at your GP or Le Bas Centre 01534 44378.

For more information visit gov.je/CervicalScreening.

Diabetic Retinal Screening

The Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme is for anyone over the age of 12 with diabetes, including people who are in remission. Diabetic retinal screening is important as it can pick up changes at the back of the eye that are caused by diabetes. The test is not included as part of a routine eye examination with an optician, so it is vital that you attend if you are diabetic.

Diabetes can affect small blood vessels, damaging the back part of the eye which is called the retina. It can cause the blood vessels in the retina to leak or become blocked, which can affect your sight. Screening can detect the condition early before you notice any changes to your vision.

To participate in this programme, we need to be notified that you are diabetic by either yourself, GP, Diabetic Centre, or other care provider.

For more information, email RetinalScreening@health.gov.je or call 01534 444590.

Breast Screening

Breast Screening (mammogram) is a free opt in programme. It is offered at the mammography unit at the General Hospital and is available to women aged 50-69. You can opt-in from 70-75 if you call us.

Breast screening uses x-rays to check the breasts for any abnormalities, including cancers at an early stage when lumps are too small to see or feel. All screenings are carried out by a female radiographer.

To participate in this programme, you need to be between 50-69. This is currently an opt in service for which you need to register by completing an online form at www.gov.je/BreastScreening.

If you need help with this, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

For more information, email BreastScreening@health,gov.je or call 01534 443790.

Bowel Screening

Bowel Screening uses a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) which looks for hidden blood in your poo. The FIT involves collecting a small sample of your stool at home with the collection kit, the kit is then returned in the pre-paid envelope to the laboratory where it is analysed.

A positive result does not mean that you have bowel cancer but further investigation to find out where the blood is coming from will be required.

If your test is positive, an appointment with our specialist nurse will be made, who will talk about a further test called a colonoscopy. This test is carried out in the endoscopy unit at the General Hospital.

If at any age you have any of the following symptoms please don’t wait for screening, please consult your doctor as soon as possible:

• A persistent change in bowel habit
• Blood in your stool (poo)
• Abdominal pain or bloating of the tummy.

We are currently inviting people aged 60. You do not need to register as you will automatically be sent an invite by post, but it is important to ensure we have the correct details should you change address.

For more information, email bowelscreening@health.gov.je, call 01534 444376, or visit gov.je/BowelScreening.