At a Glance
- NHS doctors in Essex are urging people to attend cancer screening appointments
- The National Cancer Plan 2026 focuses on early diagnosis and reducing inequalities
- Screening can detect cancer before symptoms appear, improving survival rates
- Local NHS teams are working to make screening easier and more accessible
Doctors urge people in Essex to take up NHS cancer screening as National Cancer Plan is published
People in Essex are being urged to take up cancer screening invitations, as the Government today (4 February 2026) publishes the National Cancer Plan 2026 for England.
The plan sets out a national strategy to improve cancer outcomes by increasing early diagnosis and reducing inequalities in access to care and screening. Earlier detection remains one of the most important drivers of better survival, and the plan includes new investment and targeted action to close gaps in screening uptake across the country.
Screening saves lives
The NHS in mid and south Essex offers national cancer screening programmes designed to find cancers before symptoms develop, when treatment is often simpler and more effective:
Breast screening – offered every three years to women aged 50 to 71 to detect breast cancers at an early stage.
Cervical screening – offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to pick up changes caused by high-risk HPV that could lead to cervical cancer.
Bowel cancer screening – free home testing every two years for people aged 50 to 74 to detect blood in stool that may be a sign of cancer.
Lung cancer screening – for people aged 55 to 74 who currently smoke or used to smoke.
Helping more people to benefit from screening
Although many people already take up their invitations, some are still missing out. Around two in five women in mid and south Essex do not attend breast screening appointments when invited. Uptake for bowel and cervical screening is higher, but around one in four aged 60 to 74 invited for bowel screening and around one in six invited for cervical screening do not currently take part.
The local NHS is working with community partners to make screening easier through mobile clinics, targeted outreach, and simpler booking options. Local health leaders are also encouraging people to take a positive step for their health by attending when invited.
Why taking part in screening really matters
Dr Elizabeth Towers, Macmillan GP and NHS Mid and South Essex System Clinical Lead for Cancer said:
“Screening saves lives by detecting cancer early, often before any symptoms appear. As the National Cancer Plan makes clear, improving screening uptake is essential to help more people survive cancer and reduce inequalities in care.
“Please take up the offer of screening when invited. It is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health.
“We understand that attending screening can feel worrying, but appointments are quick, private, and carried out by experienced, respectful and supportive clinicians. Taking part could make the difference between a simple treatment and a more complex cancer journey.”
Don’t wait if you have symptoms
Screening is for people without symptoms. Anyone noticing unusual changes should contact their GP promptly, without waiting for their next screening appointment.
As part of the NHS Mid and South Essex ABCDE campaign, the public is urged to take action if they notice:
A – Anything new or unusual
B – Bleeding that doesn’t go away
C – Changes to skin, a lump, or unexplained pain
D – Difficulty swallowing or persistent cough
E – Extreme tiredness or unexplained weight loss.
Find out more about screening
Watch a short video to find out what happens throughout the breast screening process or visit the NHS website. It’s available in a range of languages. Let’s Talk about Breasts is a video which explains the process for women with learning disabilities.
Visit the NHS website for information about cervical, bowel, and lung cancer screening programmes.
Know the symptoms of breast, bowel, cervical, and lung cancers by watching the ABCDE of cancer videos.