Cervical screening
Coming soonAn accessible guide to cervical screening and HPV testing.
Public health knowledge library
Cancer Prevention & Screening Information Library
Clear, evidence-led information about cancer prevention, NHS screening programmes and common screening tests.
BloomShield helps people understand screening, recognise barriers to participation and find trusted official health information.
Screening information is not a diagnosis
- Screening is generally intended for people who do not have symptoms.
- Do not wait for a screening invitation if you have symptoms or concerns. Contact your GP.
- BloomShield provides public health education. This hub does not diagnose medical conditions or replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
- For urgent advice in England, use NHS 111 online (external link, opens in a new tab). Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.
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NHS cancer screening programmes
Understand who screening is for, what happens and where to find current official guidance.
Bowel cancer screening
Read guideThe NHS programme, home FIT kit, results, benefits and limitations.
Explore this guideBreast screening
Coming soonAn accessible guide to NHS breast screening and mammograms.
NHS Lung Health Checks
Coming soonWho may be invited and what a lung health check can involve.
02
Screening tests explained
Plain-language guides to common screening and investigation tests.
FIT test
Coming soonWhat a faecal immunochemical test checks for and how it is used.
HPV test
Coming soonHow high-risk human papillomavirus testing is used in cervical screening.
Mammogram
Coming soonWhat happens during an X-ray examination of the breasts.
PSA test
Coming soonWhat a prostate-specific antigen blood test can and cannot indicate.
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Prevention and early detection
Evidence-led information to support awareness and informed health decisions.
Cancer symptoms
Coming soonChanges to notice and when to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Reducing cancer risk
Coming soonEvidence-based actions that may reduce the risk of some cancers.
HPV vaccination
Coming soonHow vaccination helps protect against HPV-related cancers.
Family history and inherited risk
Coming soonWhen family history may be relevant and who to speak to.
04
Screening access and equality
Practical information about invitations, barriers and supporting equitable participation.
Understanding your screening invitation
Coming soonWhat an invitation means and where to ask questions.
Why people miss cancer screening
Coming soonCommon practical, social and service barriers to participation.
Screening and language barriers
Coming soonFinding accessible information and communication support.
Supporting someone to attend screening
Coming soonWays to offer practical, respectful and informed support.
From information to participation
How BloomShield helps
BloomShield connects accessible public health information with community engagement, practical access support and connected care pathways.
ScreenSmart Communities™
builds understanding, confidence and informed participation through trusted community engagement.
ScreenAccess™
identifies and helps address practical, social and service barriers to screening access.
ScreenConnect™
supports navigation, coordination and continuity across screening and care pathways.
Last reviewed:
Next review due:
Content status: ready for editorial review. Official guidance can change between BloomShield reviews.