Lancashire County Council
Heads Up from Health Protection – January 2026
This month’s edition includes:
• Start the New Year with a Healthy Resolution
• Online Cancer Screening Checker
• Cold Weather Practical Advice
Screening Saves Lives – Start Your Year Right!
As we step into 2026, it’s the perfect time to make resolutions that truly matter — your health.
England’s national screening programmes are designed to help detect potential health issues early, when treatment is most effective. By taking part, you’re making a positive choice for your future and supporting a healthier community.
This bulletin will guide you through each programme, explain who it’s for, and how you can get involved. Whether it’s a simple check or a life‑saving test, these screenings are an easy way to keep your health on track.
Your health, your resolution — make it count in 2026!
Population Screening Timeline
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Offered to men during the year they turn 65.
Older men can self‑refer.
www.nhs.uk/aaa
Bowel Cancer Screening
Offered to people aged 50 to 74 every 2 years.
Those aged 75+ can request screening by calling 0800 707 6060.
www.nhs.uk/bowel
Breast Screening
Offered routinely every 3 years to women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday.
Older women can self‑refer.
www.nhs.uk/breast
Cervical Screening
Offered to women aged 25 to 64 every 5 years.
www.nhs.uk/cervical
Diabetic Eye Screening
Offered to people with diabetes aged 12+ every 1 or 2 years depending on previous results.
www.nhs.uk/diabeticeye (nhs.uk in Bing)
Newborn Screening
• Newborn hearing
• Physical examination within 3 days of birth and again at 6–8 weeks
• Newborn blood spot (for 9 rare conditions)
• Sickle cell and thalassaemia (ideally by 10 weeks)
• Infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis)
• Down’s, Edwards’, and Patau’s syndromes
• 20‑week scan for 11 physical conditions
www.nhs.uk/pregnancyscreening (nhs.uk in Bing)
Breast Screening
Breast screening uses low‑dose X‑rays (mammograms) to detect breast cancer early, often before lumps can be felt. Women aged 50–71 are invited every three years. Early detection improves treatment success and survival rates.
In 2023–24, uptake reached 70.0%, meeting the national target for the first time since before the pandemic. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, making screening vital.
Who is invited?
• Women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday registered as female with a GP
• After 71: self‑refer every 3 years
• Trans and non‑binary people with breast tissue may request screening
• High‑risk individuals may be offered earlier or more frequent screening
If you get an invitation, make it your resolution to attend. Early detection matters.
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening checks for high‑risk HPV and abnormal cells in the cervix that could lead to cancer. The test is quick and usually takes less than 5 minutes.
In England, 68.8% of people aged 25–64 attended screening in 2023–24. Cervical cancer often has no symptoms until advanced, making screening essential.
Who is invited?
• Women and people with a cervix aged 25–64
• Frequency: every 5 years
• First invitation around age 25
• Trans and non‑binary people with a cervix are eligible even if not automatically invited
Book your test — it’s quick, simple, and could save your life.
Bowel Cancer Screening
The bowel screening programme sends a simple home test kit (FIT test) to people aged 50–74. It checks for tiny amounts of blood in stool — an early sign of cancer or polyps.
In 2023–24, 71.8% of eligible people completed the test. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer, so early detection saves lives.
Who is invited?
• Everyone aged 50–74, every 2 years
• After 74: request a kit every 2 years (0800 707 6060)
• Must be registered with a GP in England
Make it your goal to complete the kit when it arrives.
bdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
AAA screening involves a quick ultrasound scan to check for a swelling in the abdominal aorta — the main blood vessel in the body. Men are more at risk of an aortic aneurysm than women, and screening helps detect problems early.
In 2023–24, 82.1% of eligible men were screened. Early detection can prevent sudden, life‑threatening emergencies.
Who is invited?
• Men during the year they turn 65 (based on GP registration as male)
• Men over 65 who missed screening can self‑refer
• Trans women and non‑binary people assigned male at birth are eligible
• Not routinely offered to: women, men under 65, or anyone already treated for AAA
Say yes when invited — it could save your life.
Diabetic Eye Screening
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy — a major cause of sight loss. Screening detects changes early so treatment can prevent vision problems.
Screening process:
• Annual eye checks for everyone aged 12+ with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Quick, painless test using digital retinal photography
• Images are reviewed for signs of damage
Key fact:
Diabetic eye screening helps protect the sight of over 2 million people with diabetes each year.
Lung Cancer Screening
The Targeted Lung Health Check programme offers a low‑dose CT scan to people aged 55–74 who are at higher risk of lung cancer (usually smokers or ex‑smokers).
Lung cancer often has no symptoms until late stages, so screening helps find it early when treatment is more effective.
Since 2019, 5,037 lung cancers have been detected through the programme, with 76% diagnosed at stage 1 or 2.
Who is invited?
• People aged 55–74 who are current or former smokers
• Must be registered with a GP
• Must live in an area where the programme is available (rolling out nationally by 2030)
• Screening begins with a Lung Health Check; if high risk, a low‑dose CT scan is offered
If you are a smoker and want to quit, support is available through Smokefree Lancashire.
Cancer Screening Online Checker
Stand Up To Cancer has launched an online screening checker that helps users determine which breast, bowel, and cervical screening programmes they may be eligible for.
It provides trusted information from Cancer Research UK and directs users to further support where needed.
This tool is for information only — it does not replace medical advice or arrange screening.
Cold Weather Advice
Winter can bring frosty days and snow, but cold weather can negatively affect health, increasing illness and avoidable deaths. Negative health effects can begin at outdoor temperatures as mild as 4 to 8°C.
Cold weather can affect anyone, but some groups are at greater risk.
Higher‑risk groups include:
• Older people (65+)
• Anyone with long‑term health conditions (heart, lung, mental health)
• Pregnant women
• People at risk of falls
• People who live alone
• People who are housebound or have low mobility
• People living in deprived circumstances
• Young children (especially under 5)
• People with learning disabilities
Practical tips to stay safe and warm:
• Heat your home safely:
Keep your main living area at 18°C or above. Use draught excluders and thermal curtains.
• Use a hot water bottle:
A simple, cost‑effective way to stay warm. Always follow safety instructions.
• Check your thermometer:
Monitor indoor temperatures, especially for vulnerable individuals.
• Drive with caution:
Allow extra time, check tyres, and keep an emergency kit in the car.
• Warm hubs:
If heating is difficult, visit local warm hubs for safe, heated spaces and community support.
• Stock up on essentials:
Keep canned soup, porridge oats, and warming foods at home.
• Look out for others:
Check on neighbours, especially older adults or those with health conditions.
More Cold‑Weather Safety Tips
In addition to heating your home and staying active, there are several other steps you can take to reduce your risk during cold weather.
Additional ways to stay warm and well:
• Try not to sit still for more than an hour.
If moving around is difficult, gently stretch your arms and legs to help maintain warmth.
• Ventilate rooms safely.
To reduce the spread of germs, open windows for a few minutes before and after visitors.
If it’s not too cold, keep a small window open during their visit.
• Wear shoes with good grip.
This helps prevent slips and falls on icy or slippery surfaces.
• Ensure your vehicle is winter‑ready.
Check tyre tread, lights, heater, and antifreeze levels.
If planning a journey, check the weather forecast before setting off.
• Plan ahead for bad weather.
Make sure you have enough medication and food in case you can’t leave the house.
If you’re unable to go out, identify someone who can collect essentials for you.
• Seek help if you’re worried about someone’s health.
Contact your local pharmacist, your GP, or NHS 111 for advice and support.
Hypothermia — Know the Signs
If you suspect hypothermia, call NHS 111 or dial 999 in an emergency.
Signs include:
• Shivering
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Tiredness or drowsiness
• Confusion
• Pale, cold skin
Hot Water Bottles
Rubber hot water bottles degrade over time.
The general recommendation is to replace them every 2–3 years.
Many bottles have a “flower wheel” symbol showing the date of manufacture.
(Example: a wheel showing the 4th month of 2021.)
Always follow safety instructions when using hot water bottles.
Meet the Team
The Health Protection Team are getting out and about, speaking to local residents to raise awareness of national screening and vaccination programmes.
They continue to support communities across Lancashire by sharing information, answering questions, and promoting public health initiatives.