NHS Health Check
The NHS Health Check is your chance to get your free midlife MOT. For adults in England aged 40-74 without a pre-existing condition. It helps prevent, or reduce of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and dementia by making positive lifestyle changes. Also if a health problem is identified or diagnosed early, treatment and support can prevent further health complications.
More information about the NHS Health Check, including an explanation of what happens at the check, when and how you get one, and how to lower your risk can be found on the NHS website.
Well Woman Checks
Cervical Cytology/Smears
These are undertaken mainly by our nursing team. All women aged 25-65 years should receive a letter inviting them to book an appointment for a smear test every 3-5 years. Women between the ages of 25-49 require a test every 3 years. Women aged 50 and over require a screening test every 5 years.
Cervical cancer can often be prevented. Cervical screening is not a test for diagnosing cervical cancer but to look for early warning signs of change. For many women the test results show that everything is fine. For 1 in 10 women, the test shows changes in cells that can be caused by many things. Most of these changes will not lead to cancer but may require further investigation.
We cannot perform this screening test whilst you are having your period – the best time to aim for is around 10-18 days after the first day of your period. Test results are sent directly to your home and can take up to 8 weeks. If you have not received your test result by this time please contact us.
More information is available at: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/publications/in-04.html
The Menopause and HRT
Menopause is when you stop having periods, which usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. For a small number of women menopause occurs earlier. If it happens before you are 40 it’s called premature menopause (or premature ovarian insufficiency).
Menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing a hormone called oestrogen and no longer release eggs. For some time before this – it could be for a few months or for several years – your periods may become less regular as your oestrogen levels fall. This is called perimenopause.
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