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Detailed information about cancer screening tests at Ramsay which include bowel screening (colonoscopy), breast (mammography) & cervical cancer screening. Ramsay offer a range of screening tests:
Detecting bowel cancer early can give you a better chance of survival. One of the easiest ways to look for any abnormality is by examining a stool sample for blood. But Ramsay hospitals can also offer a number of other tests which include:
Find out more about bowel screening here.
Diagnosis of bowel or rectum cancer can include a barium enema, sigmoidoscopy, CT and MRI scans, and ultrasound.
A recent study found that screening using sigmoidoscopy (a flexible tube inserted into the bowel) to detect polyps and then removing them reduced the incidence of bowel cancer by a third in the 55-64 age group*.
Find out more about colorectal cancer screening here.
Mammograms can provide your doctors with important information about your breasts and can pinpoint any changes in the breast tissue - often before you would notice any changes yourself. They are a detailed X-ray picture of your breasts which will show up both cancers and deposits of calcium which can be an early indicator of breast cancer developing.
Mammograms are not very painful and only take a few minutes. Many women, especially those with a family history of breast cancer, have regular mammograms to spot any early changes in the breast tissue.
Other types of breast screening:
Find out more about breast screening here.
This involves taking a few cells from your cervix and then examining them to see if there are any pre-cancerous changes; it is also known as a smear test. If abnormalities are found, it does not mean you have cancer but your doctor may suggest treatment to remove them or, in some cases, more regular screening to check for further changes. Although many women find the screening procedure uncomfortable, it is an excellent way of identifying abnormalities which might go on to become cancer if left untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent as many as 75 per cent of these cancers developing.
Prostate screening tests might include:
Find out more about prostate cancer screening here.
At present, there is no national lung cancer screening programme in the UK. In the meantime, diagnostic tests for lung cancer include:
Other biopsy's
Find out more about lung cancer screening here.
A biopsy is the first test required, which involves removing some or all of an affected lymph node for examination under a microscope. If your biopsy confirms a lymphoma diagnosis further testing is needed to check how far the lymphoma has spread.
Further tests may include:
Find out more about lymphoma screening here.
Initially, a urine and blood test is required to check for certain antibodies and proteins. If they suspect myeloma, you will be referred to haematologist for further tests and scans including X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and a biopsy sample of bone marrow.
Leukaemia tests might include:
Find out more about leukemia screening here.
This year Ramsay Health Care celebrates 60 years of global expertise in healthcare.
We speak to Julie Wood, Medical Secretary Team Leader as she celebrates 35 years at Ramsay Health Care UK.
Luke Charters - Labour’s Candidate for York Outer standing in this year’s General Election – has visited Clifton Park Hospital in the constituency to meet local doctors, nurses and wider staff working at the hospital to deliver high quality healthcare to patients across York, and further afield.
Purpose Coalition Engagement Director and former Member of Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet, Nick Forbes CBE has visited Purpose Coalition partner and leading independent healthcare provider, Ramsay Health Care UK, to see first-hand its work at Tees Valley Hospital.