Health screenings are medical tests that doctors use to check for diseases and health conditions before there are any signs or symptoms. Screenings help find problems early on, when they may be easier to treat. Getting recommended screenings is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population.

The aim is to offer screening to the people who are most likely to benefit from it. For example, some screening tests are only offered to newborn babies, while others such as breast screening and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening are only offered to older people.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
  • AAA screening is offered to men in their 65 year to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (a dangerous swelling in the aorta). Men over 65 can self-refer
• Diabetic eye screening
  • from the age of 12, all people with diabetes are offered an annual diabetic eye test to check for early signs of diabetic retinopathy
• Screening for newborn babies
  • physical examination, which includes the eyes, heart, hips and testes
  • hearing test
  • blood spot test to check if the baby has any of 9 rare conditions
• Screening in pregnancy
  • infectious diseases (hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis)
  • Down's syndrome, Patau's syndrome and Edwards' syndrome
  • sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
  • physical abnormalities(20 week scan)

Speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your health or need to ask about a family history of cancer.