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Includes Brighton & Hove based info & support

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Empowerment campaign for Trans and Non Binary people 

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Empowerment campaign for Trans and Non Binary people 

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My Cervix My Service is an empowerment campaign. Bringing you voices from our community as they share their experiences of cervical screening.

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SCF Active Outlook – Physical Activity Programme

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SCF Active Outlook – Physical Activity Programme

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Initiative designed to support cancer patients on their journey to recovery and well-being.

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Sussex Cancer Fund - Working with NHS Cancer Services & Patients Throughout Sussex

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SCF Active Outlook – Physical Activity Programme - Sussex Cancer Fund

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Welcome to the Active Outlook Exercise Programme We are excited to introduce the Active Outlook Exercise Programme, a comprehensive initiative originally ‘Brighter outlook’ commissioned by NHS Sussex and run by the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation. This program has now been seamlessly transitioned to the Sussex Cancer Fund, with kind administration support from the Macmillan

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Brighton & Hove sexual health & contraception service

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Information

Anyone can attend any of our regular daily clinics where we offer a comprehensive service. Clinic T is a specialist additional service we provide to increase our capacity to see trans and non-binary patients.

Our new services

Services at clinic-T have changed. We remain available for sexual health but for other health needs we will now need to direct you to new and improved services elsewhere in the city. If you are unsure about which service you require please contact us to discuss your needs.

Clinic T is a Trans and Non-binary friendly Sexual Health and Contraception service. We offer testing and treatment for STIs, help with bleeding control and contraception, cervical cytology, vaccination, social support and signposting to local partner support organisations.

Doctor: PrEP, STI screening & HIV testing, contraception

Nurse: Smears, vaccinations, STI screening & HIV testing, contraception

Health Adviser: Social support & advice, signposting to local services
We cannot provide clinical advice via email
Appointments

To request an appointment please call 01273 523 388, opt 1. Alternatively, you may use the contact us form and you will be emailed a form to complete. You will be booked into the next available appointment and a text confirmation will be sent.

Clinic T is open on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please do NOT attend our clinics if you or someone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19 / is awaiting a COVID-19 test result. Please attend alone if you are able to do so as capacity in the waiting room has been reduced.

Phone line opening times:

*Phone lines are closed on Bank Holidays

Further support

THT - sexual health for trans and non-binary people

Navigate Brighton - supporting those on the trans masculine spectrum

MindOut - including a trans advocacy service for Brighton & Hove

Switchboard - trans support

Allsorts Youth Project - supports and connect children and young people under 26 who are LGBT+

The Clare Project - Transgender support and social group

NHS Screening Programmes - Adult NHS Screening Programmes for trans, non-binary and intersex people in England

So, I've got a CERVIX - video about cervical screening

CoppaFeel! - breast cancer resource for Trans and Non-Binary people

TransSober - Drug and Alcohol Community Peer support

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Anyone can attend any of our regular daily clinics where we offer a comprehensive service. Clinic T is a specialist additional service we provide to increase our capacity to see trans and non-binary patients. Services at clinic-T have changed.

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Latest crude cancer incidence rate data corrected

Corrected data for the New cancer cases (Crude incidence rate) indicator for the 2021 to 2022 financial year has been added to the profiles. Previously published data for this indicator and year was not based on complete information; it was removed on 6 December 2023, in advance of the correction.

9 January 2024 09:30 AM

Summary

The interactive Cancer Services profile tool has been updated to include the latest financial year of data that are available, collated by the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS). For most indicators, for example on screening, diagnostics and urgent suspected cancer referrals, the latest data is now available for the financial year 2022 to 2023. For the cancer incidence indicator, the tool has been updated to include the 2021 to 2022 data.

Background

The profiles have been designed to support commissioners and health professionals to assess the impact of cancer on their local population and make decisions about services.

These profiles present data by general practitioner (GP) practice, sub-Integrated Care Board (sub-ICB), Integrated Care Board (ICB) and at a national level on:

Cancer incidence and screening

Urgent suspected cancer (USC) referrals

Diagnostic services

Emergency presentations and admissions

Data are shown for the 6,363 GP practices that were active in the 2022 to 2023 financial year with a list size of 750 or more patients. It was assumed a practice was 'active' if there is a record for it in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) 2022-23 and/or it both is included in the April 2023 Patients Registered at a GP Practice publication and has valid GP patient survey data for 2023.

The breast screening coverage indicator for the age band 50 to 70 has been replaced with a new indicator using ages 53 to 70 years, to be in line with national methodology. The indicator for the age band 50 to 70 years has been retired after the 2021 to 2022 financial year update.

Detection rate data delay

There will be a delay in publication of the two indicators reporting New cancer cases treated resulting from an urgent suspected cancer referral (Detection rate), for the latest year of annual data and for the latest five-years combined data. This is due to a change to the way GP practice information is linked to the Cancer Waiting Times dataset, which temporarily resulted in more missing data for new cancer cases resulting from routes other than an urgent suspected cancer referral. This issue is being corrected; data for these indicators are expected to be published on 6 February 2024.

Acknowledgements

This work uses data that has been provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support. The data is collated, maintained and quality assured by the National Disease Registration Service, which is part of NHS England.

Key Facts

The latest national updates show that:

the number of new malignant cancer cases was updated for the financial year 2021 to 2022, reporting 332,765 new cases (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), which is 540 cases per 100,000 population.

for the financial year 2022 to 2023, the proportion of eligible people who had a screening test result recorded within the relevant screening interval (screening coverage) was 66.6% for breast screening; 67.0% of those aged 25 to 49 and 74.9% of those aged 50 to 64 for cervical screening; and 72.0% of 60 to 74 year olds for bowel cancer screening.

for diagnostic investigations, per 100,000 population, there were 746 colonoscopy procedures; 1,121 upper gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures; and 324 sigmoidoscopy procedures performed in the financial year 2022 to 2023.

the rate of individuals diagnosed with cancer through an emergency route was 91 per 100,000 population in the financial year 2022 to 2023.

there were 4,619 urgent suspected cancer (USC) referrals per 100,000 population in the financial year 2022 to 2023.

Last edited: 2 January 2024 6:52 pm

Interactive tool for exploring data on cancer services at GP practice, sub-Integrated Care Board (sub-ICB), Integrated Care Board (ICB), and national level

The application provides an interactive way to select data on cancer incidence, cancer screening, diagnostic services, urgent suspected cancer referrals, and emergency presentations and admissions, for any financial year from 2009 to 2010, to 2022 to 2023.

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Cancer Services Profiles, 2023 annual update - NHS Digital

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Annual update of data in the cancer services profiles for the financial year 2022 to 2023. These profiles present data at GP, sub-ICB, Integrated Care Board (ICB) and national level on: cancer incidence and screening, urgent suspected cancer referrals, diagnostic services and emergency presentations and admissions.

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Bowel Cancer Screening primary care good practice guide 

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Bowel Cancer Screening primary care good practice guide 

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Advice for Cervical screening and menopause

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Advice for Cervical screening and menopause

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Deprivation causes extra 33,000 UK cancer cases each year, analysis finds

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Exclusive: Cancer Research UK says toll could be avoided if government tackled health inequalities

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Breast Cancer Guide by & for LGBTQ+ black & people of colour

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Breast Cancer Guide by & for LGBTQ+ black & people of colour

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A two-day conference exploring our Health, Equity and Advocacy Training (H.E.A.T.) programme, which is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to support LGBTQ+ BPoC in healthcare.

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Breast Cancer Guide for LGBTQ+ Black and People of Colour

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From symptoms to look out for, to treatment and aftercare, Black Beetle Health have created a Breast Cancer guide for LGBTQ+ Black and People of Colour.

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Fit Tests for screening and symptomatic videos

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Useful for people with learning disabilities but could also be useful for people with language barriers.

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All of the resources on this page can be downloaded for free and printed at home. Resources are categorised under health, schools, communities, with chapter extracts from selected books listed at the end.

For coronavirus resources, click here.

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All of the resources on this page can be downloaded for free and printed at home. Resources are categorised under health, schools, communities, with chapter extracts from selected books listed at the end.

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Skip to Content

These fun, free, short quizzes will test your existing knowledge and help get you started as an Answer Cancer Champion. They should only take a couple of minutes each to complete.

Cancer Champion Workplace Quiz
This short training quiz is for Cancer Champions who work in an organisation or with a local group/community organisation.

Workplaces are great places to share messages and raise awareness amongst colleagues and clients.

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Skip to Content These fun, free, short quizzes will test your existing knowledge and help get you started as an Answer Cancer Champion. They should only take a couple of minutes each to complete. Cancer Champion Workplace Quiz This short training quiz is for Cancer Champions who work in an organisation or with a local group/community organisation.

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Info for people who are transgender, non-binary & gender-diverse

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Info for people who are transgender, non-binary & gender-diverse

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Has a great video for self-checking and a flyer

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Healthy breasts come in all shapes, sizes, and densities. But it's important to recognise when something's not right. Check your breasts.

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Have a booklet that covers self checking and screening (Page 6) in lots of languages)

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Download and order publications and information on breast cancer.

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Touch Look Check | Breast Check Now [2:03]

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This PDF includes our Touch Look Check (TLC) infographic. This item is not available to order in print and is a download only.

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Bowel Cancer Screening Information in other languages 

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Bowel Cancer Screening Information in other languages 

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Includes animation videos with subtitles & British sign language

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Breast health awareness charity- good guidance on self-checking.

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CoppaFeel! | Check Your Chest | Breast Cancer Awareness Charity

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Breast cancer can affect any body. Getting to know yours could save your life. Learn more about breast cancer awareness with CoppaFeel!.

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Cervical Screening  Information in different languages 

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Cervical Screening  Information in different languages 

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Skip to main content

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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This leaflet is sent to all women invited for NHS cervical screening.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This publication explains NHS cervical screening.

It includes information about:

who is eligible for screening

the cervical screening process

what screening looks for

primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing

what HPV is

Free printed copies of this leaflet are provided for national call and recall (the Cervical Screening Administration Service ( CSAS)) to send to people with their screening invitations.

This information is available in A4 PDF format (in English) to print out and provide for people who cannot access digital information (see list above).

Language translations are available in 10 languages to download and print as required. Updated HTML versions will be available in due course.

A simple animation showing screening tests offered to women throughout their lives, including cervical screening, is available:

Contact the screening helpdesk with any queries about this publication, making sure you include its full title.

Thank you for your feedback

Report a problem with this page

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Cervical screening: leaflet for women considering screening

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Skip to main content We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Bowel screening aims to find cancer early or to find changes in your bowel that could lead to cancer.

The screening programmes send a bowel cancer testing kit every 2 years to people who can take part. You need to be registered with a GP to receive your screening invitations. The test is called FIT - Faecal Immunochemical Test. It looks for tiny traces of blood. You do the test at home. The kit contains instructions of what to do including a prepaid envelope to send the sample to the hospital.

You should get the results within a few weeks. The letter will tell you what you need to do next. There are benefits and risks.

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Bowel cancer screening is still going ahead in the UK. But because of COVID-19, there are delays. You might have to wait longer for your home-testing kit or a follow-up appointment. There might also be changes to what happens if you need a follow-up appointment. This includes the staff following strict guidance on infection control to protect you and themselves. This means that you won't be able to take someone with you to your appointment. Your results might be delayed, so ask at your appointment how long it might take and who to contact if you haven't heard in that time. It's important to remember that screening is for healthy people with no symptoms. If you notice any unusual changes to your body that don't go away, talk to your doctor. In most cases it won't be cancer, but it's best to get it checked out.

What is screening?

For screening to be useful the tests need to:

be reliable at picking up cancers or abnormalities that could lead to cancer

do more good than harm to people taking part

be something that people are willing to do

Screening tests are not perfect and have some risks. The screening programme should also be good value for money for the NHS.

Who can have bowel screening

The screening programmes send a bowel cancer testing kit every 2 years to people eligible to take part. You need to be registered with a GP to receive your screening invitations.

There are separate bowel screening programmes for the different countries in the UK.

The bowel cancer screening test

The bowel cancer screening test is called the faecal immunochemical test (FIT).

The FIT looks for tiny traces of blood in the sample of poo which can be a sign of bowel cancer.

How to do the FIT?

You don't need to respond to your screening invitation to take part. You will automatically be sent a testing kit (about 2 weeks later). You do the test in your own home. The test is clean and simple. You only need to collect one sample of poo.

In the envelope you receive, there is:

a detailed leaflet with instructions on how to do the test

a tube with a stick in it to collect your sample

prepaid specially designed (hygienic) envelope for you to send it back

The easiest way to collect the sample is to use an old plastic container, line it with toilet paper and pop it in the toilet. And then have a poo.

Once you have collected your poo:

dip the stick from the testing kit in the poo

make sure the end is covered with poo

put the stick back in the tube and twist it shut

write the date on the side of the tube

you may need to put a sticker from the letter on the side of the tube marked with + (this is only for people in Scotland)

put the tube into the prepaid envelope and post it

Getting your results

About 2 weeks after your test, you will get a letter with your results.

Most people receive a letter that says 'no further tests needed at this time'. This doesn't completely rule out cancer. So it's important to know your body and what is normal for you. See your GP if you have changes that don't go away.

If your letter says 'further tests needed' this means that blood was found in your sample. This can be caused by other medical conditions and does not necessarily mean cancer. But if it is cancer, finding it at an early stage means treatment is more likely to work.

The screening programme may ask you to do the test again if your letter says 'further tests needed'. Or you'll have an appointment to see a specialist nurse at a bowel cancer screening centre. The nurse will talk to you about having a test to look at the inside of your large bowel. This is called a colonoscopy.

Possible benefits and risks of bowel cancer screening

Possible benefits

Bowel cancer screening saves lives. It aims to prevent and detect cancer at an early stage when treatment is more likely to work.

Risks

False positive result

This means that the test picks up something even though the person doesn't have cancer. This can cause anxiety and lead to further tests.

False negative result

Rarely, screening tests miss a cancer. It is important to know the symptoms of bowel cancer and see your GP if you have any symptoms.

Overdiagnosis

There is a small chance that some people may be diagnosed and treated for bowel growths that would not have caused any harm.

Screening for people at higher risk

Bowel screening works well at reducing deaths from bowel cancer in people in their 50s, 60s and early 70s. As bowel cancer is rare in younger people, screening them is not useful.

Some people can have regular screening at an earlier age, if they have certain conditions that increase their risk of bowel cancer.

Be Clear On Cancer

Be Clear On Cancer bowel screening campaign aims to encourage people to do the bowel screening test.

Jan's story

This is Jan's story about her diagnosis and treatment for bowel cancer.
"I had done the test many times before. Unlike the other times the result that came back was not good. I have had surgery ....it was successfully removed. So no further treatment required."

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Bowel screening aims to find cancer early or to find changes in your bowel that could lead to cancer. The screening programmes send a bowel cancer testing kit every 2 years to people who can take part. You need to be registered with a GP to receive your screening invitations.

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Brighton & Hove Healthy Lifestyles Team 

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Brighton & Hove Healthy Lifestyles Team 

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People can sign up for support from the healthy lifestyles team- includes healthy eating, increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol, cutting down smoking, losing weight, general well-being

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Use this form to get support for yourself or someone else with:

healthy eating

increasing physical activity

reducing alcohol

stopping and cutting down smoking

losing weight

general wellbeing

Please start by entering your address, then you'll need to tell us:

your contact details

what you'd like support with

If you need help to fill in this form, you can:

We process, analyse and use your data in a range of ways to better understand what our customers need and to improve the way in which the council delivers your services.

Information provided in this form will be shared with healthy lifestyle services provided by or commissioned by Brighton & Hove City Council in order to offer appropriate support.

Find more information about how we use your data, and the organisations we work with to offer support, in our privacy and data notice.

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Sign up for support from the Healthy Lifestyles Team

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Sign up for support from the Healthy Lifestyles Team

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Access to Cancer Screening for people with a learning disability

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Access to Cancer Screening for people with a learning disability

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Cancer Comms 17-01-21 Learning Disability

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Speak Out report (2016) about cancer screening & prevention among people with learning disabilities 

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Speak Out report (2016) about cancer screening & prevention among people with learning disabilities 

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report on cancer awareness amongst people with learning disabilites 2016 final

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Includes signs & symptoms

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‘The most important thing is to get used to what your breasts feel like.’ 
 
A year ago, Leicia was given the all clear from breast cancer. She recently sat down with her surgeon Shireen to discuss breast cancer symptoms and what you should do if you find a sign of breast cancer.

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‘The most important thing is to get used to what your breasts feel like.’ 
 
A year ago, Leicia was given the all clear from breast cancer. She recently sat down with her surgeon Shireen to discuss breast cancer symptoms and what you should do if you find a sign of breast cancer. https://t.co/kNwbFzPe8x

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‘The most important thing is to get used to what your breasts feel like.’

A year ago, Leicia was given the all clear from breast cancer. She recently sat down with her surgeon Shireen to discuss breast cancer symptoms and what you should do if you find a sign of breast cancer. pic.twitter.com/kNwbFzPe8x
— NHS England (@NHSEngland) October 28, 2022

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‘The most important thing is to get used to what your breasts feel like.’ 
 
A year ago, Leicia was given the all clear from breast cancer. She recently sat down with her surgeon Shireen to discuss breast cancer symptoms and what you should do if you find a sign of breast cancer. https://t.co/kNwbFzPe8x

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
‘The most important thing is to get used to what your breasts feel like.’ 
 
A year ago, Leicia was given the all clear from breast cancer. She recently sat down with her surgeon Shireen to discuss breast cancer symptoms and what you should do if you find a sign of breast cancer. https://t.co/kNwbFzPe8x

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
‘The most important thing is to get used to what your breasts feel like.’ 
 
A year ago, Leicia was given the all clear from breast cancer. She recently sat down with her surgeon Shireen to discuss breast cancer symptoms and what you should do if you find a sign of breast cancer.

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Here you can search for cancer support by location!

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04 August 2023 - Roland Monger

Navigating Cancer | Guest Blog

Navigating cancer is different for every cancer journey. Our latest guest post is from Roland Monger author of My Big Toe is Killing Me. His book follows the four-and-a-half-year cancer journey of a dad, husband, stepdad, colleague, friend, brother, son and blogger.

19 July 2023 - Dotplot

Dotplot Participant Request for Upcoming Workshop | Guest Post

Dotplot is holding workshops to build their mobile app experience so that it meets the needs of people who have had a breast cancer incidence. The aim is to discover, brainstorm and co-create various features that should be offered via their app.

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04 August 2023 - Roland Monger Navigating cancer is different for every cancer journey. Our latest guest post is from Roland Monger author of My Big Toe is Killing Me. His book follows the four-and-a-half-year cancer journey of a dad, husband, stepdad, colleague, friend, brother, son and blogger.

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Targeted Lung Health Checks Patient Booklet 

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Targeted Lung Health Checks Patient Booklet 

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BrightonTLHC patient booklet (updated May 22)

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Understanding cervical cancer Ukrainian 

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Understanding cervical cancer Ukrainian 

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Information about health checks (Easy Read 

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Information about health checks (Easy Read 

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Breast Cancer Screening Video for people with Learning Disabilities 

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Breast Cancer Screening Video for people with Learning Disabilities 

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Cervical Cancer Screening Video for people with Learning Disabilities 

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Cervical Cancer Screening Video for people with Learning Disabilities 

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Having a Smear Test (Cervical Cancer Screening) (NHS Sussex)

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Bowel Cancer Screening Video for people with Learning Disabilities 

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Bowel Cancer Screening Video for people with Learning Disabilities 

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Health & Wellbeing Videos for Cancer Patients 

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Health & Wellbeing Videos for Cancer Patients 

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Health and Wellbeing information and support :: Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance

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Health and Wellbeing includes the provision of accessible information about emotional support, coping with side effects, financial advice, getting back to work and making healthy lifestyle choices. This support is available to patients and their families and carers before, during and after cancer tr…

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National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2021

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National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2021

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Cervical screening follow up appointment (Learning Diabilities)

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Cervical screening follow up appointment (Learning Diabilities)

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Cervical Screening Follow-Up Appointment (NHS Sussex)

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Breast Screening Follow Up Appointment (Learning Disabilities)

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Breast Screening Follow Up Appointment (Learning Disabilities)

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Breast Screening Follow-Up Appointment (NHS Sussex)

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A recent study has found trans women who undergo hormone treatment have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to cis men and a lower risk compared to cis women (1).

The study also found trans men who undergo hormone treatment have a reduced breast cancer risk compared to cis women but are at higher risk compared to cis men. Many trans men undergo a double mastectomy, which significantly reduces breast cancer risk (2).

Further studies are needed to assess the potential risks of long-term hormone treatment in trans and non-binary individuals.
High breast density and oestrogen increase breast cancer risk
Everyone is susceptible to breast cancer. Two important factors that increase risk are lifetime exposure to high levels of sex hormones, particularly oestrogen, and having a high breast density, as seen on a mammogram (3).

Dense breasts have relatively higher amounts of glandular tissue (milk ducts and milk lobules) and supportive tissue and lower amounts of fatty tissue (4). Most breast cancers develop in ducts and lobules. Cis males have less breast tissue, which is mainly composed of fatty and fibrous tissue with only small amounts of glandular tissue (5).

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which includes synthetic oestrogens with (combined) or without progesterone, increases breast cancer risk in cis women, especially during long-term use of combined HRT (6).
Breast cancer in trans women
Trans women often receive hormone therapy which helps breast tissue development. Cis women (aged between 50-79 years) who receive HRT are known to be at an elevated risk of breast cancer (6). Those taking the contraceptive pill, which also contains synthetic oestrogen and progesterone, have a slightly increased risk (7). This suggests that trans women who take hormone therapy may also have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Few studies have examined the risk of breast cancer in trans women (1, 8, 9, 10). The most robust study to date was carried out in 2019 by Dutch researchers, who found that breast cancer was more common in trans women (whose average age was 31) than cis men but less common than in cis women (1).

Another Dutch study (11) examined what proportion of breast lesions in trans women was benign or cancerous. They found around 90% were benign (non-cancerous), similar to the percentage found in cis women.
Breast cancer in trans men
Even fewer studies have investigated breast cancer risk in trans men. The most comprehensive was the 2019 Dutch study discussed previously (1), which found the risk to be lower than expected for cis women (whose average age was 23) but higher than expected for cis men. Other studies have identified a lower risk for trans men compared to cis women (12, 13).

Many trans men have breast reduction surgery as part of gender reassignment. However, not all breast tissue is routinely removed.

Trans men are thought to be at low risk due to breast tissue removal. However, not all trans men undergo mastectomies and they remain at higher risk (2).

The impact of high levels of testosterone on breast tissue is unclear. Testosterone therapy in trans men alters the composition of breast tissue by reducing the amount of glandular tissue and increasing the amount of fibrous connective tissue (2). Some studies suggest that in cis women elevated testosterone increases breast cancer risk (14). This is because aromatase (an enzyme found in breast and other tissues) converts testosterone to oestrogen, raising overall oestrogen levels, which increases breast cancer risk.

However, a study of European trans men found taking testosterone reduces oestrogen levels (15). The same study found those who have their ovaries removed as part of their gender reassignment also had reduced levels of oestrogen. Exposure to lower levels of oestrogen helps reduce breast cancer risk (4).

Another study found that taking testosterone for at least 12 months may reduce the risk of certain types of benign breast lesions (abnormal areas of breast tissue) (16).
Screening and breast self-checking
As mentioned, trans men and trans women are at a lower risk of breast cancer compared to cis women. Nonetheless, everyone is susceptible to breast cancer, especially if you have not had a double mastectomy.

We recommend regular self-checking for everyone, regardless of gender. Please see our short video for guidance on how to check your breasts.

The NHS offers screening mammography to trans women and trans men who have not undergone a double mastectomy. Only individuals who are registered as a female with their GP are automatically invited for breast screening. For more information please see NHS population screening: information for trans and non-binary people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Trans men: transgender men who are assigned female at birth and identify as men

Trans women: transgender women who are assigned male at birth and identify as women

Cis men: cisgender men assigned male sex at birth who identify as men

Cis women: cisgender women assigned female sex at birth who identify as women

Non-binary: those who have transitioned but who do not identify with either gender

*Hormone therapy for trans women includes oestrogen and often anti-androgens. It may also include progesterone

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Resource for transgender people | Breast Cancer UK

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Breast Cancer UK has created a helpful resource for transgender people to help understand breast cancer risk.

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The "Are You Ready For Your Screen Test?" campaign aimed to dispel the myths around lesbian and bisexual women and cervical screening, and raise awareness that lesbian and bisexual women do need regular cervical screening tests. NEW ONLINE TRAINING TOOLKIT FOR CERVICAL SCREENING TAKERS LAUNCHED
As the culmination of the 'Are you ready for your screen test?' campaign, LGBT Foundation, supported by NHS Cervical Screening Programmes, has launched an online training toolkit which enables cervical screening practitioners to improve patient experience for lesbian and bisexual women.

The short module, which takes less than 20 minutes to complete, includes practical suggestions for improving practice alongside the firsthand experiences of lesbian and bisexual women and addresses some the the myths around cervical screening for women who have sex with women.

Access to the toolkit is free and all those who successfully complete the module receive a downloadable certificate. To access the toolkit please click here.

All women between the ages of 25 and 64 who have a cervix - including lesbian and bisexual women - need to go for regular cervical screening tests ( formally called 'smear tests'). T rans men and nonbinary people who have cervixes should also attend regular screening, but may not receive invitations through the national screening programme.
To be invited for cervical screening you need to be registered with a GP, who needs to have your current address on file.
The NHS call and re-call system invites all women who are eligible for screening and registered with a GP. This system also keeps track of any follow-up investigation, and, if all is well, re-calls you for screening at the appropriate time for you - either three to five years (check the table below).
It is important that you ensure that your GP has any change of circumstance or address.
Watch our fun film spoof to find out why you need to go for cervical screening:

The age of invitation for cervical screening varies according to country. Please check the chart (below) for your region.

Eligibility for cervical screening in the UK

Women aged 25 to 49 invited every three years
Women aged 50 to 64 invited every five years

Women aged 25 to 49 invited every three years
Women aged 50 to 65 invited every five years

Women aged 25 to 49 invited every three years

Women aged 50 to 64 and 364 days invited every five years

Women aged 25 to 49 invited every three years

Women aged 50 to 64 and 364 days invited every five years

Women who are eligible and who have not previously had a cervical screening may be offered one when they attend their GP or family planning clinic on another matter. Women in England should receive their first invitation for routine screening by their 25th birthday, Women in Scotland by their 20th birthday etc.

Those who were assigned female at birth but are registered as male with their GP will not be included on the NHS screening recall system. However, if they have a cervix (usually this is if they have not had a hysterectomy or they have had a partial hysterectomy) they should also access cervical screening.
If you are eligible and have not received an invitation to attend for cervical screening then you should contact your GP.
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, can be passed on during sex. This includes sexual activity between two women.

The LGF's campaign "Are You Ready For Your Screen Test?" raises awareness of cervical screening amongst women from the lesbian and bisexual community, encourage them to attend screening appointments, give them the confidence to use their rights, and provide advice to make it the best possible experience. The campaign is supported by the NHS Cancer Screening Programme.

Download our cervical screening guide!
Annie Emery, former Head of Services at LGBT Foundation said "Over the years, some lesbian and bisexual women accessing screening have experienced homophobia, assumptions that they are heterosexual, inappropriate treatment and, most damaging of all, misinformation about their health when it comes to cervical screening."

"We want lesbian and bisexual women to be getting the best and most accurate health information to help them make informed decisions about their body and their health. We also want lesbian and bisexual women to know exactly what services are available to them. If a woman has been sexually active with a woman or a man she should be accessing cervical screening services."

Professor Julietta Patnick CBE, Director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes said: "The NHS Cancer Screening Programmes welcome this campaign to encourage lesbian and bisexual women to accept screening invitations."

"Most research including that carried out by Dr Julie Fish of De Montfort University found that there is a low level of awareness of the cervical cancer risks for lesbians, among both healthcare staff and lesbians themselves.

" Many incorrectly believe that lesbians are not at risk at all.

"A clearer understanding of the transmission routes of HPV (the virus that causes cervical cancer) is crucial in helping to encourage all eligible women to accept screening invitations. Cervical screening saves 4,500 women's lives every year in England alone."
Making an appointment for a cervical screening test takes hardly any time at all, and the test itself takes just a few minutes - not long for something that could save your life.
So don't be left in the dark, ring or visit your GP to book a cervical screening, or to check when your next one is due. For more information on cervical screening or to talk through what cervical screening involves contact LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, or email .

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LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.

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Breast Cancer Screening Easy-Read Leaflet

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Breast Cancer Screening Easy-Read Leaflet

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Easy-Read Breast Screening Letters: Invite / Results

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Easy-Read Breast Screening Letters: Invite / Results

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NHS breast screening: accessible format informed choice letter content

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Guidance for NHS breast screening providers on using national accessible format letter content to support informed choice.

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Breast Screening Journey Clips: Made for (and by) Women with Learning Disabilities 

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Breast Screening Journey Clips: Made for (and by) Women with Learning Disabilities 

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A film made by and for women with learning disabilities.

Taking the fear out of going for breast screening.

This is a breast screening film for women with learning disabilities, showing clearly what happens during the process of having a mammogram. Whilst breast screening is always an individual choice, the film is intended to take the fear out of going for breast screening and encourage women with LD to come and have the test.

The film can be watched in full, or in short segments, showing different aspects of the screening journey.

Do the test: Go for it (the whole film)

Segment 1: Do the test: trailer

Segment 2: Do the test: what do you call them?

Segment 3: Do the test: Julia's story

Segment 4: Do the test: what is cancer?

Segment 5: Do the test: what is a mammogram?

You can view the films and download from here:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/7542993

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This is a breast screening film for women with learning disabilities, showing clearly what happens during the process of having a mammogram. Whilst breast screening is always an individual choice, the film is intended to take the fear out of going for breast screening and encourage women with LD to come and have the test.

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MBB Clinics: Services for People Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence

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MBB Clinics: Services for People Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence

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Easy-Read Cervical Screening Leaflet: For People with Learning Disabilities

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Easy-Read Cervical Screening Leaflet: For People with Learning Disabilities

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https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/stories/Emily_story

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Arch Healthcare: Cervical Screening for Homeless Community

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Arch Healthcare: Cervical Screening for Homeless Community

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Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable diseases if caught early. Cervical screening, or smear test, is a quick procedure to detect cervical cancer.

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Stigma Attached to HPV / Cervical Cell Changes

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Stigma Attached to HPV / Cervical Cell Changes

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New research by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, released today, shows thousands of women in the UK know little or nothing about cervical cell changes prior to being diagnosed with high numbers feeling ashamed. Around 220,000 women are diagnosed every year following cervical screening, however over a quarter (26%) of the 1,086 surveyed said they felt ashamed when diagnosed. This was particularly pronounced in younger age groups (40% of 25-29 year olds: 8% of 60-64s).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes cell changes. Cervical screening can help prevent cervical cancer by identifying any infection and cells which have changed (become abnormal). The cells can be monitored or treated to stop cancer developing.

Over 70% (786) recalled having a HPV diagnosis. For many this made the experience of cell changes far harder. High numbers expressed feelings of guilt, confusion, and anger or concerns about relationships and infidelity as a result. A third (34%) of these said it made them anxious or worried and 35% spoke of shame, embarrassment or feeling dirty.

This reflects what Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust hears through its services, where calls about the virus make up 50% of those to the Helpline. In its new report, the charity is calling for far greater education and conversation about HPV to reduce the impact a diagnosis can bring.

Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust: "It should not be the case that shame is connected to cervical screening results in 2022. HPV stigma is something that needs to be tackled and it's up to all of us to remove the stigma attached to having a diagnosis. Far more needs to be done to ensure everyone attending screening is fully prepared for different results and has the information they need to deal with them, because cervical cancer prevention doesn't stop at cervical screening."

A fifth (21%) said they felt isolated following their diagnosis, with many not wanting to tell others. The charity warns that the pandemic is exacerbating this, with many attending appointments by themselves. Feelings of isolation doubled during the pandemic (29% diagnosed in the pandemic reported feeling isolated, compared to 15% before).

More than half (51%) of the 1,086 said they knew nothing about cell changes prior to their diagnosis and 39% knew 'a little'. 44% said they had not been told what the potential results could be at their cervical screening appointment.

The charity is highlighting that the impact of the pandemic means cervical screening uptake is at its lowest in decades. National statistics show almost 1 in 3 are not attending when invited. The charity is urging women and people with a cervix to book an appointment if they are overdue, while calling for greater action to increase understanding and reduce anxieties of potential results.

Samantha continues: "Cervical screening can help stop cervical cancer before it starts so we cannot afford to let attendance continue to fall in such worrying numbers. Please remember the NHS is well and truly open, so if you are overdue screening or have a colposcopy appointment we urge you not to put it off. If you have questions or need support, then do contact our Helpline."

Treatments offered in colposcopy are safe and highly successful. They are provided to prevent cervical cancer, where far more invasive treatments are often needed. However, high numbers reported feeling uninformed and rushed through their diagnosis and subsequent care. 42% did not feel that they had enough time to consider their options or make decisions, while 29% didn't think they had enough information and support to understand the benefits and risks of treatment. 28% experienced side effects that they either did not expect or were more severe than anticipated. Concerns about fertility were also found to be disproportionate to the risk, highlighting a need for greater information and support to reduce anxieties in those looking to have children.

A further finding is variation in care. The charity is calling for more guidance and standardisation in areas such as provision of information and pain management.

Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "We understand that receiving a HPV diagnosis can be distressing, but this diagnosis is a vital part of preventing cervical cancer, and is an important step in identifying what further treatment may be needed. It is worrying that cervical screening uptake is falling. It is vital that anyone who is invited to a cervical screening attends their appointment and feels supported to fully understand what a diagnosis might mean. Increasing education and awareness about HPV will help remove stigma, and better prepare individuals to attend their screenings."

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust are using their campaign week, Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17-23rd January 2022) to raise awareness of cervical screening, encourage attendance and increase understanding about potential results.

Tonia Antoniazzi, Member of Parliament for Gower, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer: "We have an incredible opportunity to one day eliminate cervical cancer, and while cervical screening lies at the heart of this, cancer prevention goes beyond screening. We must recognise the importance of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating cervical cell changes, and ensure everyone is supported at every step. No one should feel that they don't have the information and support to access cervical screening or deal with an unexpected result."

Rachel, 34 from Brighton, was told she had cell changes in November 2020: "I had to have a LLETZ treatment to get rid of my cell changes. At first I went straight to Google and found some horror stories about cervical cancer. I began thinking quite irrationally - if you have kids, you can really go to a bad place in your head with worry about what might happen to you! I didn't know what to expect at all. I had worked myself up a bit as I did not like how LLETZ sounded! The nurses were brilliant and explained everything while holding my hand.

I had a follow up appointment, which was much harder as no one was really talking to me during it and it was more painful. At times it felt like the end of the world, but it's all about preventing something worse from happening. I never knew anybody else who had cell changes, but once I started speaking out about my experience, my sister told me she had the same thing but she had never mentioned it. We need to talk about it more so that no one feels alone, and everyone knows where to get support."

Laura, 33 from Manchester, was told she had cell changes and HPV in 2021: "I was diagnosed with HPV and abnormal cells and was referred for a colposcopy at hospital. I cried all morning as I thought this meant that I had cancer. I don't think I'd ever spoken to someone who had had the same experience, and I definitely didn't know what it meant. The HPV part was really hard, lots of people still feel like HPV is taboo and won't discuss it. I even thought I might not go to my colposcopy as it was so daunting at first. But I am really glad I did. The colposcopist was very calming, she explained that there were around 11 different speculum types and they can provide numbing cream, and gas and air, so it was more comfortable than I imagined it would be. I had a biopsy and have to have regular checks to see if the cells clear naturally as I didn't need treatment. I am just so pleased that the NHS is looking after me and that I went for my smear test in case they had a chance to turn into something worse."
Ends
For more information, interviews or case studies contact: [email protected] or call 07772 290064
Notes to editors

Survey published in July 2021 through SurveyMonkey and gained 1768 responses. 1086 were residents of the UK with an experience of cervical cell changes

Read the full report >

From 17-23 January, Jo's are encouraging sharing of stories from women and celebrities who have been for screening or had a cell changes diagnosis. Join the conversation #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-preven... #Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK's leading cervical cancer charity. We provide information and support to anyone affected and campaign for excellence in cervical cancer treatment, care and prevention. Our vision is a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past. Our free national Helpline is 0808 802 8000

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Women diagnosed with cervical cell changes are unprepared for the experience, feeling ashamed, isolated, and frightened

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New research by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, released today, shows thousands of women in the UK know little or nothing about cervical cell changes prior to being diagnosed with high numbers feeling ashamed. Around 220,000 women are diagnosed every year following cervical screening, however over a quarter (26%) of the 1,086 surveyed said they felt ashamed when diagnosed.

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Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with over 16,000 people being diagnosed with melanoma in the UK every year (Source: Cancer Research UK). So skin cancer isn't just a problem in the southern hemisphere, it's on our doorsteps.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a non-cancerous mole and a cancerous one, particularly if you have a lot of moles or freckles. But there are some tell-tale signs that you can look out for. The A - G method below provides a good basis for identification of potentially troublesome moles.

What to look for when checking a mole

A - Asymmetry

Normal moles or freckles are completely symmetrical. If you were to draw a line through a normal spot, you would have two symmetrical halves. In cases of skin cancer, spots don't look the same on both sides.

B - Border

A mole or spot with blurry and/or jagged edges.

C - Colour

A mole that is more than one hue is suspicious and needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Normal spots are usually one colour. This can include lightening or darkening of the mole. Melanoma cells usually continue to produce melanin, which accounts for the cancers appearing in mixed shades of tan, brown and black.

D - Diameter

If it is larger than a pencil eraser (about 1/4 inch or 6mm), it needs to be examined by a doctor. This includes areas that do not have any other abnormalities (colour, border, asymmetry). But, don't be fooled by size alone - it can be smaller.

E - Elevation/Evolving

Elevation means the mole is raised above the surface and has an uneven surface. Evolving means changing in size, shape, colour.

F - From firm to palpation

This means if any of your moles change from a softer, spongier consistency to a firm consistency.

G - Growing progressively over 1 month

A mole should remain a consistent size. If your mole continues to grow over more than a month, speak to your doctor.

When to get a mole checked

Moles can develop on any area of your skin, so you should check yourself thoroughly at least once a month using the A - G method provided above. If you notice something unusual or concerning, speak to your doctor immediately for advice. They may advise mole mapping or mole assessment.

Ways to reduce your melanoma risk

Skin damage, especially sunburn, from UV rays is the biggest avoidable risk factor for melanoma. With many people visiting hot and sunny locations during the summer, the risk of getting sunburnt is raised, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Unfortunately, many people continue to focus on getting tanned on holiday, and there is a false belief that a little sunburn is okay. You should aim to avoid excessive sun exposure when you are outside.

Here are some ways you can reduce your risk of getting skin damage from UV rays:

Use sun cream before you go out in the sun and re-apply it regularly throughout the day. When you go swimming, you will need to put on fresh sun cream afterwards. If you are lighter-skinned, have lighter coloured eyes, naturally blonde or red hair, or if you already have a lot of freckles you will need to be particularly careful. You should aim to use sun cream that has a higher SPF rating of 30 or above

Wear clothing that limits the areas of your skin directly exposed to the sun. Clothes made of lighter fabrics are useful for keeping you cool, and a cap or sun hat will protect your face. Sunglasses are also important for shielding your eyes

Duck into the shade regularly to limit your time in direct sunlight. Avoid the sun when it is at its strongest during the middle part of the day

Stay away from tanning beds as these also produce harmful UV rays that can damage your skin

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A - G guide to checking your moles | Nuffield Health

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Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with over 16,000 people being diagnosed with melanoma in the UK every year (Source: Cancer Research UK). So skin cancer isn't just a problem in the southern hemisphere, it's on our doorsteps.

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HPV uptake for those in the Ethnically diverse community 

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HPV uptake for those in the Ethnically diverse community 

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videos explains why the uptake is not as successful for that community

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The HPV - or Human Papilloma Virus - vaccine is available to year 8 and 9 schoolgirls across Britain. But not all of them get the jab.

Girls from black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are less likely to receive the vaccine in school than their white counterparts.

It's an important difference: Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.
Reporter Shanae Dennis. Produced by Fahima Abdulrahman and Ameer Ahmed.

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Why are BAME girls less likely to get the HPV jab?

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The vaccine stops infection with the Human Papilloma Virus, which causes over 99% of cervical cancers

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Annual Health Check (Learning Diabilities)

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Annual Health Check (Learning Diabilities)

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Bowel Screening Follow Up (Learning Disabilities)

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Bowel Screening Follow Up (Learning Disabilities)

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Bowel Screening Follow-Up Appointment (NHS Sussex)

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Targeted Lung Health Check Booklet (Easy Read)

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Targeted Lung Health Check Booklet (Easy Read)

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Yellow letter motion graphic (For social media)

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Yellow letter motion graphic (For social media)

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Breast Cancer Now talk in many languages 

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Breast Cancer Now talk in many languages 

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Public Health Talk by Breast Cancer Now Translations - 2021

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Public Health Talk by Breast Cancer Now translated into 19 different languages including British Sign Language

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Speak Up- Video encouraging people of colour to talk about cancer

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Speak Up- Video encouraging people of colour to talk about cancer

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A talk through of Cervical Screening with as ACT Volunteer (Jenny Greenfield)

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A talk through of Cervical Screening with as ACT Volunteer (Jenny Greenfield)

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DON'T LET YOUR TRAUMA HOLD YOU BACK FROM GETTING YOUR CERVICAL SCREENINGS DONE.

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Know Your Body- Easy Read Resources/Workbooks 

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Know Your Body- Easy Read Resources/Workbooks 

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Ansar Projects have created a series of accessible resources with Coppafeel! and Orchid to support people with a learning disability to know their body.

The resources are the first of their kind and include accessible breast and testicular cancer information packs, self-checking cards, breast and testicular cancer symptom guides, self-checking social stories and information on what to expect if you notice a change.

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Ansar Projects have created a series of accessible resources with Coppafeel! and Orchid to support people with a learning disability to know their body. The resources are the first of their kind and include accessible breast and testicular cancer information packs, self-checking cards, breast and testicular cancer symptom guides, self-checking social stories and information on [...]

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This colour of poo is normal and healthy. The colour is normally described as chestnut brown but could be a little lighter or darker depending on what you eat. It is important to know what is normal for you. Don't forget to check out the consistency of your poo and toilet frequency too!

Read more...

Sometimes poo can be black in colour if you are taking iron tablets, or a medicine based on bismuth. It can also be black if you have eaten a lot of liquorice. If the colour is a side effect of the medicine or iron tablets, it should not cause a problem. But if you are concerned you can speak to your doctor or a pharmacist. This type of poo is often hard and not sticky.

Black poo can also mean bleeding higher up in the digestive system, for example from the stomach. You should see your doctor if your poo turns black for an unknown reason. Contact the NHS urgently if it is black, tarry and smells bad, especially if you have tummy pain.

Read more...

Poo can sometimes become grey if someone is taking medicine to treat diarrhoea, such as bismuth-based medicines. Very pale or grey poo might also mean that your pancreas or liver is not working properly. These organs normally connect to your bowel by special tubes (ducts), and these can become blocked. You should contact your doctor as soon as you can if your poo suddenly becomes pale, especially if there has been no change in your medicine.

Read more...

Green poo can be caused by eating a lot of green vegetables, or green food colouring in food and drink. Green poo is entirely normal in young babies. It can also be caused by antibiotics, or a gut infection like food poisoning/gastroenteritis. Symptoms of an infection will usually change the consistency of poo and frequency of going to the toilet too. Green poo can also be caused by a condition called bile acid diarrhoea, where bile stays in the stools without being reabsorbed, and hence discolours the poo. This can occur if you have liver or gall bladder disease, or if you have had bowel surgery or disorders of the small intestine.

Read more...

Red poo can be caused by beetroot and red food dye in food and drinks. But red poo could also indicate bleeding in the bowel. Bleeding in the bowel can be caused by:

If the blood is coating the outside of the poo this might be a result of piles (haemorrhoids) or anal fissures. Contact your doctor if you think you have bleeding in your bowel.

Read more...

Orange poo can happen if someone has eaten a lot of food or supplements containing a substance called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is found in foods such as carrots (these are not likely to cause a problem in normal portion sizes) or vitamin and mineral supplements. Orange poo can also be caused by a condition called bile acid diarrhoea, where bile stays in the stools without being reabsorbed, and hence discolours the poo. This can occur if you have liver or gall bladder disease, or if you have had bowel surgery or disorders of the small intestine.

Read more...

Yellow stools can be caused by too much fat inside the poo, the medical name for it is steatorrhoea. Occasionally this is caused by a medicine prescribed for weight loss (orlistat). Do not stop taking your medicines without discussing it with your doctor.

Yellow, fatty poo often smells bad too and can be described as 'greasy'. People with IBS can sometimes have symptoms when they eat fat in their diet. However, steatorrhoea might indicate the fat that is eaten in the diet is not being absorbed well. Other causes can be coeliac disease or pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).

Read more...

This is a very rare colour of poo and is not a good sign. The silver colouration is produced by combining black tarry stools and grey stools containing fat, due to malabsorption. This colour of stool should be discussed with your doctor urgently as it may be a symptom of cancer. This kind of cancer develops in the tubes leading from the gallbladder and pancreas and is called 'Ampulla of Vater cancer'.

Read more...

The cells lining the digestive system normally produce mucus to help the poo travel easily through the gut. It is not always visible, but it is there. Sometimes people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can see visible mucus when they go to the toilet, this can also happen sometimes if someone is constipated.

Read more...

Sometimes poo can be black in colour if you are taking iron tablets, or a medicine based on bismuth. It can also be black if you have eaten a lot of liquorice. If the colour is a side effect of the medicine or iron tablets, it should not cause a problem. But if you are concerned you can speak to your doctor or a pharmacist. Do not stop taking your medicines without seeking advice from your doctor. This type of poo is not generally sticky or tarry.

Black poo can also mean bleeding higher up in the digestive system, for example from the stomach. You should see your doctor if your poo turns black for an unknown reason.

If your poo is black, looks like tar and has a bad smell, it might mean that your digestive system is bleeding significantly. The bleeding is generally further up in the digestive system, either the oesophagus, stomach or first part of the small bowel (the duodenum). The poo is black and tarry because the blood has been partly digested. This situation is a medical emergency, and you should contact the NHS urgently.

Bleeding resulting in black poo can happen with many digestive conditions such as:

Bleeding may not be because of a cancer for most people, but seeing your doctor can help you to find out the cause and get it treated.

Poo can sometimes become grey if someone is taking medicine to treat diarrhoea, such as bismuth-based medicines. Very pale or grey poo might also mean that your pancreas or liver is not working properly. The tubes leading from these organs may be blocked.

If your poo turns grey and it is not caused by medicine, food or iron tablets you should contact your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicines if you suspect a medicine is the cause, without advice from your doctor.

This colour of poo might be caused by the following:

The colour change is caused by the pigments that are in bile. Bile is a substance that helps digest fat. With pale coloured or grey poo, the pigments are not being released into the digestive tract as they normally would be. This colour of poo often happens with a symptom called jaundice. Jaundice occurs when the bile remains in the blood instead of going into the digestive system. Jaundice causes a yellowing of the whites of the eye and skin (which may be less obvious in people who have darker skin). If jaundice occurs, you should contact your doctor as soon as you can.

Green poo can be caused by eating a lot of green vegetables, or green food colouring in food and drink. Green poo is entirely normal in young babies. It can also be caused by antibiotics, or a gut infection like food poisoning/gastroenteritis. Symptoms of an infection will usually change the consistency of poo and frequency of going to the toilet too.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicines if you feel medicine is the cause of green poo, discuss this with your doctor first.

Take note if your poo turns green and you have symptoms such as diarrhoea, cramping pain in the central or lower abdomen and feel unwell with a temperature. Food poisoning or a gut infection like food poisoning/gastroenteritis might be the cause.

The green colour of poo, if someone has a gut infection, is usually caused by the bacteria salmonella, a parasite called giardia, or a virus called norovirus. Most gut infections do improve in five to ten days with self-care. Read more about food poisoning and gut infections here.

Contact your doctor for the following:

If symptoms of food poisoning do not get better in four weeks.

The poo changes to a red colour.

If you develop severe and constant abdominal pains with a high fever.

Green poo can also be caused by a condition called bile acid malabsorption, where bile stays in the stools without being reabsorbed, and hence discolours the poo. This can occur if you have liver or gall bladder disease, or if you have had surgery or disorders of the small intestine.

Red poo can be caused by beetroot and red food dye in food and drinks. But red poo could also indicate bleeding in the bowel. Bleeding in the bowel can be caused by:

If the blood is coating the outside of the poo this might be a result of piles (haemorrhoids) or anal fissures. Contact your doctor if you think you have bleeding in your bowel.

Red poo where the cause is not food related should always be discussed with your doctor. Bright red streaks on the outside of poo might be caused by an anal fissure or haemorrhoids. Deeper red (maroon) poo might be a sign of bleeding further up inside the large bowel. You should contact your doctor if you have either of these colours of poo.

Orange poo can happen if someone has eaten a very large amount of food containing a substance called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is found in foods such as carrots (these are not likely to cause a problem in normal portion sizes). Orange poo can also be caused by a condition called bile acid diarrhoea, where bile stays in the stools without being reabsorbed, and hence discolours the poo. This can occur if you have liver or gall bladder disease, or if you have had bowel surgery or disorders of the small intestine.

Beta-carotene is a pigment found in plants and the body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A and it is found in orange, green and yellow fruits and vegetables. These are not likely to cause a colour change in normal consumed amounts. It might also be found in vitamin and mineral supplements containing vitamin A. It is not advisable to take high levels of vitamin A from supplements, as this can be harmful. Most people who have a healthy balanced diet do not need to take vitamin A supplements.

Bile acid diarrhoea can also occur in the following conditions:

Occasionally it can occur with other malabsorption conditions, like:

Yellow stools can be caused by too much fat inside the poo, the medical name for it is steatorrhoea. Occasionally this is caused by a medicine prescribed for weight loss (orlistat). Do not stop taking your medicines without discussing it with your doctor.

Yellow, fatty poo often smells bad too and can be described as 'greasy'. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can sometimes have symptoms when they eat fat in their diet. However, steatorrhoea might indicate the fat that is eaten in the diet is not being absorbed well. Other causes can be coeliac disease or pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).

Yellow poo could also be caused by an infection in the small bowel. See your doctor if you suspect that you are not absorbing fats.

Poo that is yellow, floating and greasy can often be difficult to flush and it might take more than one flush of the toilet to get rid of the poo. Sometimes if this symptom is severe, there can be visible oil floating on the surface of the toilet water.

Not absorbing fats is called a malabsorption problem. Malabsorption can happen with the following:

Coeliac disease. Your doctor can check for coeliac disease with a blood test. Ensure you are eating sources of gluten as this is needed to ensure the test will identify coeliac disease.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). PEI is common in people with chronic pancreatitis.

PEI can also happen occasionally with acute pancreatitis, surgery to the pancreas and pancreatic cancer.

People with type 1 diabetes who are having digestive symptoms might also occasionally have PEI, which may also potentially be responsible for variable glucose control.

Type 3c diabetes.

This is a very rare colour of poo and is not a good sign. The silver colouration is produced by combining black tarry stools and grey stools containing fat, due to malabsorption. This colour of stool should be discussed with your doctor urgently as it may be a symptom of cancer. This kind of cancer develops in the tubes leading from the gallbladder and pancreas and is called 'Ampullar of Vater cancer'.

The Ampulla of Vater is a small opening where the pancreatic duct and the bile duct join. Rarely, a cancer can develop inside the opening and blocks the opening. This will stop any secretions from the pancreas and the gallbladder from entering the small bowel. The combination of the malabsorption of fats and the lack of release of bile, plus if the cancer is causing bleeding, can make the poo look a silvery colour.

This kind of poo may be combined with a symptom called jaundice. Symptoms of jaundice happen when the bile remains in the blood instead of going into the digestive system. Jaundice causes a yellowing of the whites of the eye and skin. Skin yellowing may be less obvious in people who have darker skin.

The cells lining the digestive system normally produce mucus to help the poo travel easily through the gut. It is not always visible, but it is there. Sometimes people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can see visible mucus when they go to the toilet, this can also happen sometimes if someone is constipated.

Mucus is a slimy, sticky, jelly like clear fluid normally produced by the cells lining the digestive tract all the time. It is not harmful to occasionally notice mucus in poo or when you wipe your bottom after opening your bowel if you are constipated (check poo consistency section), or have been diagnosed with IBS. You should contact your doctor if the mucus contains blood. You should contact your doctor if new symptoms develop that might mean a different diagnosis, such as abdominal pain, bloody stools, a change in bowel habit and/or vomiting.

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There's a taboo surrounding toilet habits, but your poo is an indication of your health. Checking your poo includes being aware of the colour and consistency, but also how frequently you empty the bowels. Be sure to check all three tabs. Please donate today, so we can continue creating empowering tools like Poo-Torial.

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The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common type of virus. It usually doesn't cause any problems and most people will never even know they've had it. But some 'high-risk' types of HPV can cause cancer.

The HPV vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective. It protects against four types of HPV - HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11.

HPV 16 and 18 are two of the most common 'high-risk' types of HPV, which cause about 7 out of 10 cervical cancers. There isn't a 'cervical cancer injection' that directly stops all cervical cancer cases. But as most cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, the HPV vaccine plays an important role in reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer.

A 2021 UK study found that cervical cancer rates were reduced by almost 90% in women in their 20s in England, who were offered the vaccine aged 12-13.

Cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis and anus, and some types of mouth and throat cancer, are also linked to 'high-risk' HPV. This means the vaccine should also protect against these cancer types.

The vaccine also provides protection against genital warts as HPV 6 and 11 are responsible for the majority of cases.

The HPV vaccine tricks the body into thinking it has been exposed to the real HPV virus. This triggers the body's immune system to produce antibodies against HPV. This is how our body usually fights against and clears infections.

And our immune system has a memory. This means the body will recognise HPV and have antibodies ready if it is exposed to the real virus in future, making HPV much easier to fight off.

The NHS have more information on how vaccines work.

HPV can cause changes to the DNA in our cells that make them more likely to turn cancerous. By protecting against HPV infection, we can help prevent these cell changes and reduce the risk of cancer linked to HPV.

The HPV vaccination is usually given as two injections at least 6 months apart. You must get both doses of the vaccine for maximum protection. Remember, if you missed your HPV vaccination when it was offered to you in school, you can get the vaccine for free up until your 25th birthday.

People who have the vaccine over the age of 15 will need three doses for full protection. Find out more about HPV vaccination doses on the NHS website.

Studies have already shown that protection by the vaccine lasts for at least 10 years, and we are expecting it will be shown to prevent HPV for far longer.

The groups listed below can get the HPV vaccine for free. If you don't fall into one of these groups, you can pay to have the vaccine privately. But the vaccine won't be as effective if you have already been exposed to HPV. And as HPV is a very common virus, most adults will have already been exposed to it.

Other people at higher risk may be offered the vaccine for free on a case by case basis. If you're not sure whether you are eligible, speak to your doctor.

Since September 2019, all children aged 11-13 in the UK can get the HPV vaccine. That's all children in year 8 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, or S1 in Scotland.

HPV is spread through close skin to skin contact, often during sexual activity. The HPV vaccine is given at a young age, as it is most effective in people who have never had HPV before. Read more about how HPV is passed on in our blog.

The HPV vaccine started being offered to boys in 2019. This was to try to prevent more HPV-linked conditions, including penis, anus and some types of mouth and throat cancer. You can read more about why the HPV vaccine is now offered to boys in our blog.

If you live with any children who are home-schooled, they should be offered the HPV vaccination. Speak to the doctor if they haven't been sent an invitation, but are eligible.

People younger than 25 who missed their HPV vaccination

People who missed their HPV vaccination offered in school can get the vaccine for free up until their 25th birthday.

If you missed either of your doses, talk to your doctor or school immunisation team.

Men who have sex with men can request the vaccine for free through sexual health and HIV clinics in the UK up until the age of 45.

Studies show men who have sex with men may be at increased risk of anal cancer.

If you are a trans woman (women assigned male at birth), you can get the vaccine for free through sexual health and HIV clinics if your risk is the same as men who have sex with men, and you are aged 45 or under.

Trans men (men assigned female at birth) who have sex with other men and are aged 45 or under can also get the vaccine for free. But if you are a trans man who has already had all doses of the vaccine as part of the vaccination programme at school, there is no need to have the vaccine again.

Do I need to go to cervical screening if I've had my HPV vaccination?

Yes, you should still consider going to cervical screening if you've had the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all types of HPV. And cervical screening is another effective way to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Cervical screening is for people without symptoms and helps to spot early cell changes caused by HPV. This means any abnormal cells can be removed before they have a chance to become cancer.

But don't wait for your next screening appointment if you've noticed anything that's unusual for you or won't go away. If something's not normal for you speak to your doctor.

Cervical screening is for women aged between 25 and 64, and anyone else within this age range who has a cervix. This can include transgender men and people who are non-binary.

Find out more about cancer screening for people who are trans or non-binary

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The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common type of virus. It usually doesn't cause any problems and most people will never even know they've had it. But some 'high-risk' types of HPV can cause cancer. The HPV vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

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A donation of £10 could cover the cost of a blood sample collection kit

A donation of £28 could provide an hour of confidential support from our gynaecological cancer nurse specialist

A donation of £60 is enough to pay for information on the 5 women's cancers to be sent to 20 women and men

A donation of £135 could support the analysis stage of our FORECEE research aiming to develop one test for four cancers

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Home | Gynaecological Cancer Research Charity | The Eve Appeal

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A donation of £10 could cover the cost of a blood sample collection kit A donation of £28 could provide an hour of confidential support from our gynaecological cancer nurse specialist A donation of £60 is enough to pay for information on the 5 women's cancers to be sent to 20 women and men A donation of £135 could support the analysis stage of our FORECEE research aiming to develop one test for four cancers

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Our charitable mission is to protect and preserve women's health, no matter where they live, by eliminating Cervical Cancer.

How we hope to achieve this

Email us and one of our team will answer any questions you may have about cervical screening, HPV, cervical cancer or vaccination.

We do not provide medical advice, always speak to your doctor.

Our team of healthcare professionals and scientific researchers have put together our Education & Information resource for anyone to use. Covering everything you may want to know about cervical cancer, screening, HPV, vaccination and more.

Please donate to help us protect those who are disadvantaged across the world and raise crucial awareness

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Get Involved with Us!

UK Cervical Cancer has a mission, working towards the global elimination of cervical cancer.

We can't achieve this without our supporters, you.

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Our charitable mission is to protect and preserve women's health, no matter where they live, by eliminating Cervical Cancer. How we hope to achieve this Email us and one of our team will answer any questions you may have about cervical screening, HPV, cervical cancer or vaccination.

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Drinking alcohol contributes to increasing a person’s risk of developing breast cancer

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Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk | Breast Cancer Research Foundation

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What to know about how alcohol and breast cancer risk are connected, including the latest research and recommendations.

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Research consistently shows that drinking alcoholic beverages — beer, wine, and liquor — increases a woman’s risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

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Alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer

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Simply reducing alcohol consumption can greatly reduce the risks, says WHO/EuropeCopenhagen, 20 October 2021Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer type in the WHO European Region, with 1579 women diagnosed every day.

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You can cut your cancer risk - printer friendly version