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Screening is a way of testing people to see if a disease can be picked up early, which is when it has the best chance of being cured. Consultants who have held or currently hold posts at top NHS teaching hospitals have helped us develop our health screens for both individual and corporate customers. This expertise and investment in technology means HCA can offer the latest techniques and high standards of assessment.

Cancer screening aims to detect cancer at a very early stage, when there are no symptoms, or find changes in cells which could become cancerous if not treated. SNMCC currently offers cancer screening and awareness programmes for bowel, breast and prostate cancers.
Breast screening

The SNMCC breast screen

Breast screening aims to find breast cancer very early so that women have the best chance of the cancer being cured.

SNMCC breast screening services are designed for women over 40 years of age and offer:

• Quick responses to referral and appointment requests
• Appointments to suit individual needs, even at short notice
• Experienced, professional and caring teams
• Specialist radiographers and breast care nurses
• Digital mammography with computer aided diagnosis
• Breast ultrasound when appropriate
• Results within 24 hours
• Breast awareness advice and information

If a possible problem with the breast tissue is seen on the mammogram, women will be offered further breast assessment.

Bowel screening

Screening can detect bowel cancers early, when they are small and there are no symptoms. Regular screening can reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer.

Screening can also detect polyps, which are non-cancerous (benign) growths that may develop into cancer over time. Polyps can easily be removed, which reduces the risk of bowel cancer developing.

SNMCC services offer the faecal occult blood (FOB) test; flexible sigmoidoscopy; colonoscopy; CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) and barium enemas.

When bowel cancer is suspected or confirmed, SNMCC provides personalised cancer care with rapid access to the latest technology and treatments.

When breast cancer is suspected or confirmed, HCA provides personalised cancer care with rapid access to the latest technology and treatments.

Heart screening

SNMCC has developed a comprehensive healthy heart screen which includes a detailed assessment of cardiac health and identifies the main risk factors for heart disease. Practical advice is also provided to help individuals manage their risks for the future.

This screen is recommended for men over the age of 35 and women over the age of 45. It includes:

Assessment with a nurse, to include

• Family history and lifestyle analysis
• Height, weight and BMI (body mass index)
• Fasting blood screen including full lipid profile and glucose test (for diabetes)
• A resting ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Blood pressure measurement
• Cardiac risk profile analysis

Assessment with a doctor if indicated, to include

• An exercise ECG

On completion of the screen you will be provided with a written report together with any recommendations as appropriate. This will normally follow within 14 days.

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Prostate screening

Assessing prostate health can help to diagnose very early prostate cancer before any symptoms develop. Talking to a specialist can help a man decide if a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is right for them. SNMCC prostate health screens offer:

• Quick responses to referral and appointment requests; patients can self refer
• Appointments to suit individual needs, even at short notice
• Experienced urologists and nurses
• Full health assessment and discussion of the pros and cons of the PSA test
• Consultation with a urologist and full explanation of the results
• Prostate awareness advice and information

When prostate cancer is suspected or confirmed, SNMCC provides personalised cancer care with rapid access to the latest technology and treatments.