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Cancer is often most treatable when found early—yet many people are unsure which screening tests they need or when to get them. In honour of World Cancer Day, we’re breaking down the key screenings by age, gender, and risk level to help you stay informed and proactive. Understanding your screening options is a powerful step toward early detection and protecting your long-term health.
World Cancer Day on February 4th reminds us to prioritise cancer prevention and early detection, seeing people, not just patients. Prevention beats treatment, but spotting cancer early dramatically improves outcomes. Nationwide screening, like smear tests that have slashed cervical cancer rates, is a powerful tool. Yet the NHS screens only for select types. This guide details what's available, eligibility by age and gender, and advice for those at high risk to empower your health choices.
Why Cancer Screening Matters
Early detection saves lives
The earlier cancer is detected, the more options are available. These options are often less invasive and offer better outcomes.
The issue with most cancers is that they often do not have symptoms until they are advanced, for example, pancreatic and lung cancers, making them harder to treat. Screening is one way to catch these diseases before they are able to cause too much harm. However, not all cancers are routinely screened. This has led to a high level of cancer-related deaths in those who are diagnosed late, meaning cancers like pancreatic cancer have a 5-year survival rate of around 4.3 per cent1.
Screening ≠ diagnosis
Screening is a preventive tool, not diagnostic. It cannot tell you for certain that you have a cancer diagnosis, but it can identify individuals who have early signs or abnormalities that should undergo further investigation. Nationwide screenings for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers are for individuals with no symptoms of cancer2.
There is also enhanced surveillance of high-risk individuals. This might include those with extreme liver scarring (cirrhosis), advanced liver disease, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), who may undergo an ultrasound scanning of the liver or a blood test to see if they should undergo testing for liver cancer3,4.
Most cancer diagnoses are still symptom-led and rely on individuals contacting their general practitioner (GP) or healthcare provider once symptoms arise and diseases are more advanced5.
Recommended Screenings by Age and Gender
For everyone aged 40+
Cancer Research UK says cancer is a disease of age. With modern medicine, life expectancies have increased, which leaves more time for us to be exposed to harmful factors like ultraviolet radiation from the sun, cigarette smoke, alcohol, carcinogens, and poor diet and lifestyle choices. All of which may increase our risk of certain cancers over time.
As we age, risks compound with each other. We become more prone to high blood pressure, exercising less, and gaining weight, which increases the chances of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
The NHS offers health checks for people aged 40 to 64 every 5 years, and over 65s annually. These help monitor things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight6. The point of these health checks is to talk to your GP about what you can do to maintain your health and wellness before disease develops, so it is the perfect opportunity to discuss unexplained, vague symptoms like fatigue, unexplained weight loss, changes in appetite, or anything that might not warrant its own appointment. Though they may be nothing to worry about, they may also be early signs of a health problem developing.
If you have concerns about your health, an additional screening option could be undergoing some sort of imaging to spot abnormalities early. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that can produce a detailed 3D image of your organs by using magnets and radio waves. Radiologists can use this to spot any abnormalities that could warrant further investigation. Though not routinely available on the NHS, Ezra offers several options.
For women
- Breast cancer: The NHS provides mammograms every 3 years from age 50, or earlier if at higher risk, such as if an individual has a family history or specific genetic markers. Screening automatically stops for those over 71, but you can request screening to continue through your GP6.
- Cervical cancer: NHS cervical screenings happen from ages 25-64. Every 3 years if at a high risk or HPV positive, or every 5 years if HPV negative7. Thanks to early, nationwide HPV vaccinations, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers there is8.
- Bowel cancer: The NHS offers at-home testing kits for people aged between 50 and 749. This involves sending a sample through the post and receiving your results. The NHS provides a guide on how to perform the at-home test.
For men
- Prostate cancer: There is no routine NHS Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood testing. If men over 50 have concerns, like frequent urination in the night or “start-stop” urine streams, then they can contact their GP for advice10.
- Bowel cancer: same as in women, at-home kits for those aged 54 - 74.
- Testicular cancer: No routine NHS screening is offered, but monthly self-checks are encouraged11. If swelling or a lump has appeared, contact your GP immediately. The NHS has provided a detailed guide on how to perform this at-home test.
For all genders
- Lung cancer: There is no routine NHS screening yet, but low-dose Computed Tomography (CT) scans are offered through targeted pilots for ages 55-74 with significant smoking history12. Ask your GP about eligibility.
- Skin cancer: Not routinely screened for on the NHS, but regular use of sunscreen and monthly mole checks are advised13. The ABCDE rules are used to identify at-risk moles (asymmetry, border, colour, diameter over 6mm, evolving)14.
- General symptoms might include fatigue, unexplained changes to appetite or weight, and indigestion. Though these may be nothing, they could also be early subtle signs of illness. To give you peace of mind, you should contact your GP.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of any of these cancers, are worried that you are at higher risk, or would like advice, contact your GP.
How to Know If You’re High Risk
People who are at high risk should be proactive and contact a health professional early, even just for reassurance. Common factors include:
- Family history of cancer, especially close relatives
- Certain diseases (e.g., HIV, HPV, liver cirrhosis15)
- Genetic conditions (e.g., BRCA1/2 for breast cancer16 or Lynch syndrome for colon cancer17)
- Certain lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, heavy alcohol use, no exercise18)
For quick insight, the NHS risk tools or Ezra’s risk calculator can offer some insight, though always consult a healthcare professional for advice.
What Is a Multi-Organ MRI – and Is It Right for You?
One way to identify both cancer and non-cancerous illnesses is with screening that employs imaging.
Ezra’s 14 organ MRI scan scans up to 14 organs in under an hour, offering quick, non-invasive, painless scanning. Expert radiologists can analyse and identify any potential problems for further investigation, before symptoms arise. Besides cancer, MRI can be used to screen for over 500 other non-cancerous health conditions.
This is a great addition to NHS services and can provide peace of mind when it comes to your health.
Conclusion
World Cancer Day highlights that early detection saves lives. Screening is a powerful tool to inform you on how to make better choices, monitor your health, and encourage early screenings when appropriate. Early detection of any abnormalities will give you the most treatment options and the best long-term outcomes.
You can be proactive now by contacting your GP or a health professional to organise a health check or by utilising services like Ezra to use powerful imaging tools.
With Ezra, you can scan 14 vital organs in just one hour. Don’t wait for symptoms. Be proactive about your health today. Book your Ezra scan now.
Understand your risk for cancer with our 5 minute quiz.
Our scan is designed to detect potential cancer early.
References
1. Cancer Research UK. Cancer Stats Data Hub. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://crukcancerintelligence.shinyapps.io/CancerStatsDataHub/_w_fe81277e544443f9aed28c15cd20ae83/?_inputs_&nav=%22Survival%20Trends%20Over%20Time%22&SurvivalTrends-select_CancerSiteGender=%22Pancreas%22&SurvivalTrends-select_CancerSiteAge=%22Pancreas%22
2. Cancer Research UK. Cancer screening | Cancer Research UK. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/spot-cancer-early/screening
3. Cancer Research UK. Screening for liver cancer. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening
4. Cancer Research UK. Tests for liver cancer. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests-liver-cancer
5. Lauridsen GB, Jarbøl DE, Thye-Rønn P, Rasmussen S, Balasubramaniam K, Lykkegaard J. Exploring GPs’ assessments of their patients’ cancer diagnostic processes: a questionnaire study. Br J Gen Pract. 2023;73(737):e941-e948. doi:10.3399/BJGP.2022.0651
6. NHS. Who breast screening is for. nhs.uk. November 3, 2025. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/who-breast-screening-is-for/
7. NHS. When you’ll be invited for cervical screening. nhs.uk. July 14, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/when-youll-be-invited/
8. NHS England. NHS England » Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England. Accessed January 12, 2026. https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/
9. NHS. Bowel cancer screening. nhs.uk. October 20, 2017. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/
10. NHS. Symptoms of prostate cancer. nhs.uk. August 8, 2025. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms/
11. NHS. Symptoms of testicular cancer. nhs.uk. April 22, 2024. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/symptoms/
12. NHS. Lung cancer screening. nhs.uk. March 27, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/lung-cancer-screening/
13. NHS. Melanoma skin cancer - Causes. nhs.uk. October 3, 2018. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes/
14. Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/symptoms
15. NHS. Causes of liver cancer. nhs.uk. July 6, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-cancer/causes/
16. Macmillan Cancer Support. BRCA gene. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors/brca-gene
17. Macmillan Cancer Support. Lynch syndrome (LS) - Macmillan Cancer Support. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors/lynch-syndrome-ls
18. Anderson BO, Berdzuli N, Ilbawi A, et al. Health and cancer risks associated with low levels of alcohol consumption. Lancet Public Health. 2023;8(1):e6-e7. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(22)00317-6
