Screening programmes
Annual health checks
Documents about my health
My end of life plans
Screening programmes
Everyone is entitled to a range of NHS screening programmes dependent on your age and gender. Screening is a way of finding health problems early, so that early treatment can be offered and information provided to help with making informed decisions.
Bowel Screening: If you are between 60 and 74 years old you will be sent a bowel screening pack every two years.
Macmillan has many useful easy read leaflets around screening.
Dementia screening
Adults with Down’s Syndrome should have regular checks to look for any possible signs of dementia, they should start when you turn 30. As long a no concerns they should be repeated at age 40 and then every two years. This is because people who have Down’s Syndrome can develop dementia at a younger age. If dementia is diagnosed at an early stage, medication can be prescribed to slow down the symptoms and the impact it has on the person.
The checks are usually carried out by completing an assessment called dementia screening questionnaire for individuals with intellectual disabilities, abbreviated to DSQIID.
Completing the assessment at a young age helps provide a baseline for future checks.
Changes that the person may be experiencing could also be a result of other previously undiagnosed health conditions. Many of these are easily treated. It is important that any symptoms observed are discussed with the GP who will arrange the appropriate health checks for example blood testing, urine testing.
Don’t wait until an Annual health Check with the GP to discuss symptoms.
If you think that someone you know is showing signs of dementia encourage them to speak to a GP.
You can find the Dementia baseline and screening tool here.
See these links for more information:
Screening for women
Cervical screening
Smear tests check for cervical cancer. All women who are aged 25 to 49 years are invited to cervical screening every three years. Women who are aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years.
You will receive an invite letter from your GP, if you haven’t received one by your 25th birthday, you can call your GP surgery for an appointment.
This cervical screening video will tell you what a smear test is and why it is important.
Breast awareness and screenings:
Breast screenings check for breast cancer. Women who are aged 50 to 71 are invited to a breast screening every three years. You will receive an appointment to go for a mammogram from the breast screening programme, if you’re worried that you haven’t had a letter, please speak to your GP.
To find out what will happen at your screening, watch the video at dothetest.org.
Download an easy read guide for more information.
Checking your breasts:
As well as going for screenings, it is important to check your breasts every month to look for anything different and check for lumps.
If you know how your breasts usually look and feel you are more likely to spot changes that could be a sign of cancer. If you find any changes or you are worried, make an appointment with your GP.
Screenings for men
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
This screening is only offered to men in the year they are 65. This checks the main blood vessel which run from your heart down to your stomach. It is important to go to an AAA screening to check that the blood vessel is okay.
You will receive you an invite when you are 64, if you have no received an invite you can speak to your GP.
Watch the video below to find out what happens at an AAA screening.
Testicular check
It is important to check your testicles once a month for lumps or swelling. If you know how your testicles usually look and feel you are more likely to spot changes that could be a sign of cancer. If you find any changes or you are worried, make an appointment with your GP.
This easy read document shows you how to check your testicles:
Annual health checks
Annual health checks are for adults and young people with a learning disability, from the age of 14.
The annual health check is carried out at your GP surgery once a year. They will usually write to you with an appointment.
If you have not had an invite you can contact your GP surgery and ask for an annual health check.
If you are not well, please do not wait until your annual health check to talk to a doctor.
If you are worried about attending an appointment, you can discuss your worries with the surgery who will be happy to look at ways to help you.
If you would like to find out more information about going for an annual health check and what will happen you can watch our video.
These websites will also give you more information about having an annual health check and what to expect in your annual health check.
Documents about my health
My end of life plans
People with a learning disability have the same palliative care needs as everyone else, including symptom management, coming to terms with illness and dying and making decisions about their wishes.
They may have additional needs due to their disability, such as more physical and mental health problems, be socially isolated, have difficulty accessing the healthcare systems.
When someone is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, they will be referred to a specialist team to help them with their symptom management and other palliative care needs.
Many organisations have developed easy read documents, tips and videos to break bad news and bereavement support, below are some useful resources: