Screening Programmes
Screening is the process of identifying healthy people who may be at increased risk of disease or condition. The screening provider then offers information, further tests and treatment. This is to reduce associated risks or complications. It can be helpful to think of screening like a sieve. In this diagram, a large group of people accept the offer of a screening test.
This image explains how the screening process can be compared to putting people through a sieve. The sieve represents the screening test and most people pass through it. This means they are at low risk of having the condition screened for. The people left in the sieve are at higher risk of having the condition. A further investigation is then offered to them.
Identification through this process can show that they have the condition screened for. The person may need further confirmatory diagnostic tests. At each stage of the screening process, people can make their own choices about further:
- tests
- treatment
- advice
- support
The public needs to have realistic expectations of what a screening programme does. Screening can:
- save lives or improve quality of life through early risk identification
- reduce the risk of developing a serious condition or its complications
Screening does not guarantee protection. Receiving a low risk result does not prevent the person from developing the condition at a later date. In any screening programme there are a false positive and false negative results:
- false positive: wrongly reported as having the condition
- false negative: wrongly reported as not having the condition
Screening Programmes in Scotland
Bowel Screening
In Scotland men and women aged between 50 and 74 are routinely invited to take part in bowel screening every two years.
Our pages provide resources and information including a DVD which includes an animated chapter on 'doing the test'.
Read more about Bowel ScreeningBreast Screening
Women aged between 50 and 70 years old are invited for screening every three years. Our pages provide information and resources for women who are invited to screening, and health professionals who are supporting women and answering questions they may have about the Scottish Breast Screening Programme.
Read more about breast screeningCervical Screening
In Scotland, women aged between 25 and 64 years of age are routinely offered screening every three years. Our pages provide information and resources for women who are invited to screening and health professionals who are supporting women and answering questions they may have about the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme.
Read more about cervical screeningPregnancy and Newborn Screening
Pregnant women and newborn babies are offered a range of screening tests during pregnancy and in the first few weeks of life. Our pages provide information and resources to support health professionals and women in informed decision-making about whether to take up the offer of screening.
Read more about pregnancy and newborn screeningAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Men across Scotland in their 65th year are invited to be screened for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. The aim is to reduce the number of deaths related to this condition among men in Scotland. Our pages provide information and resources to support health professionals and men in informed decision-making about whether to take up the offer of screening.
Read more about AAA ScreeningDiabetic Retinopathy (DRS) Screening
Everyone with diabetes over the age of 12 are invited annually to have their eyes screened for Diabetic retinopathy which can cause sight loss if left untreated.
Our pages provide information and resources including illustrated booklets for people with learning difficulties and their carers.
Read more about DRS screening