Cancer prevention, screening and awareness

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Cancer prevention screening and awareness

Reducing inequalities and improving the uptake of national screening programmes and supporting local improvement projects is important to help reduce the incidences of cancer. The cancer prevention, awareness and screening improvement strategies and work programmes are steered by the North Central London Cancer Alliance. Barnet public health team works closely with North Central London Cancer Alliance and other key partners to increase participation in the three NHS screening programmes; Breast Cancer Screening, Bowel Cancer Screening and Cervical Screening. 

In addition, targeted lung health checks are currently being rolled out in certain parts of England. The North Central London Cancer Alliance has initiated the provision of these checks to facilitate early detection and treatment of lung cancer. It is expected that this programme will be available nationwide by 2025-2026.

Bowel cancer screening

General information on Bowel cancer screening.

Everyone aged 60 to 74 years who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years (By April 2025 it will be offered to everyone aged 50 – 74 in England).

Bowel cancer screening can be carried out at a person’s home by using an NHS bowel cancer screening Kit. You do not need to visit a hospital or screening unit. Samples can be posted to the lab for examination.

Further information

Breast screening

General information on Breast screening.

Breast screening locations

  • Edgware Community Hospital: Deansbrook House, Edgware Community Hospital, Deansbrook Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 9BA
  • Finchley Memorial Hospital: Granville Road, London N12 0JE (Report to Hospital Reception Desk)
  • London Breast Screening

Further information

Cervical screening

General information on Cervical screening.

Cervical Cancer Screening takes place at a patient’s registered GP Practice. Eligible women will be invited to attend a screening by their GP Practice.

If you are aged between 25 to 64 and have not received an invitation, please contact your registered GP.

Further information

Targeted lung health checks

General information on Target Lung Health Checks Lung Check London

Currently, Lung Health Checks are being offered to people between the ages of 55 and 74, who are current or former smokers.

There are two main stages to a Lung Health Check appointment. The first is an assessment with a health professional and the second, if you are eligible, is a CT scan of the lungs.

You can only book a lung health check if you have received a letter inviting you for a telephone appointment.

After you get your invitation letter, if you have any questions that are not answered on the main Lung Check London webpages or in the patient information booklet sent with your letter please email: uclh.ncllunghealthcheck@nhs.net or call 0800 652 9589.

Reducing cancer inequalities

There are several projects focused on raising public awareness of cancer screening, the signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of seeking help early, with a specific focus on reducing health inequalities.

Improving cancer screening for people with learning disabilities

Barnet Mencap Cancer Screening Information and Resources.

In partnership with Barnet Mencap and North Central London Cancer Alliance, Barnet Public Health has supported a project to improve cancer screening for people living with learning disabilities.

Some of the resources produced from the project.

All health and care professionals, alongside families and carers of people with learning disability and autism can play a vital role in helping address this recognised health inequality. 

Further information about the project:

Improving cancer screening for people experiencing homelessness

The four NHS Cancer Alliances in London commissioned Groundswell, a homelessness charity, to develop cancer screening guides for people experiencing homelessness in the capital. This was achieved with support from NHS London Region Cancer Screening Commissioning Team.

The three guides focus on each of the national cancer screening programmes (bowel, breast and cervical). The guides are tailored for people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. They provide information on what cancer screening is, why it is important, how to take part and what reasonable adjustments are in place to encourage screening participation. 

Print and electronic guides in English are available on the Groundswell resource hub and the Transformation Partners in Health and Care Cancer Screening Directory webpages. Translated versions will be available soon. For more information email North Central London Cancer Alliance: uclh.nclcanceralliance@nhs.net