Don't be spooked by screenings – safeguard your future health this Halloween
27 October 2025
Although the unknown can feel scary when it comes to screening tests and procedures, they can give you the best chance of protection against certain types of cancer.
Smear tests are nothing to fear
Cervical cancer screening (smear tests) is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer — but 1 in 4 people don’t attend their appointment.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25-49 will be invited to have a routine cervical screen at least every five years once they have tested negative to HPV. It’s really important that you attend your appointment because cervical screening is one of the best ways to prevent cervical cancer.
The main aims of cervical screening are to reduce:
• The number of cases of cervical cancer by picking up cell changes before they become a cancer
• The number of deaths from cervical cancer by stopping cancer from developing, or picking it up at an early stage
• The effects of cancer or cancer treatments on health by stopping cancer from developing, or picking it up at an early stage when it is much easier to treat
A cervical smear test should not hurt, but it can feel uncomfortable. If you're worried about the test causing you pain, your GP or practice nurse can explain ways they can make the test easier for you.
We answered some frequently answered questions about cervical screening: Cervical Screening Awareness Week | Your questions answered - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
More information about cervical cancer and the symptoms to look out for can be found on the NHS 111 Wales website: NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Cancer of the cervix.
A simple test that can save your life
Research shows that more than nine in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed at the earliest stage.
If you’re aged 50-74 and registered with a GP, you’ll receive a bowel screening test kit in the post every 2 years.
Bowel screening involves completing a home test kit which looks for hidden blood in your poo.
The test is quick and easy to do and can be done in the comfort of your own home.
You may feel well even if you have early bowel cancer and screening ensures cancers are found before any symptoms show.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Wales and over 2,200 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year.
It’s important to complete your bowel screening as well as familiarising yourself with bowel cancer symptoms. Read about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer on the Public Health Wales website: Looking after yourself - Public Health Wales.
Know your normal and check your breasts
Around 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. Although breast cancer is more common in women over 50, it can affect anyone, no matter age or gender.
Your breasts can change for many reasons, like the menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding, puberty or even during your period. It’s important to check your breasts regularly, so you know what’s normal for you.
This will make it easier to notice any changes in size, look or feel of your breasts.
The NHS website has useful information about how to effective check your breasts: How to check your breasts or chest - NHS.
Look out for:
•a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
•a chance in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
•a change in size of shape of 1 or both breasts
•nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
•a change in shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
•pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer
In Wales, women aged 50 to 70 are invited for breast screening every 3 years. Breast screening looks for breast cancer before symptoms show. This involves taking mammograms, which are x-rays of the breast.
Find out more: Breast screening - Public Health Wales.
Screening is important because it can find cancers when they are too small to see or feel and treat cancer early, giving you the best possible chance of survival. They’re nothing to fear, what’s scarier is not knowing something could be wrong when it’s so easy to get checked.