Advice on private screening

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has published a guide to help the public in England make decisions about private screening tests. this can be found on the UK NSC website. This complements UK NSC advice for GPs about private screening tests that was published previously.

Private companies offer a wide range of health checks, from simple blood tests and physical examinations to full body scans and screening for serious conditions like aneurysm or heart failure. If you are thinking about paying for any of these, it is worth asking a few questions first.

Most private screening companies offer a good quality service, but before you go ahead with a test, check that the company is properly regulated, and ask for clear written information about the risks involved as well as the benefits.