USSKBM-30-3 Resit Coursework: Cancer Screening Methods in the UK

This essay explores cancer screening methods in the UK, focusing on the role of cellular pathology. It provides an overview of current NHS screening programs for breast, cervical, and bowel cancer, detailing the involvement of histopathology and cytology in diagnosis. The essay discusses future developments, including the use of genomics, artificial intelligence, and liquid biopsies, and compares UK screening practices with those in other parts of the world, considering their impact on cancer incidence and survival rates. The author recommends improvements for both the UK and other countries to enhance cancer screening effectiveness. References include research from Cancer Research UK and other relevant sources. The essay fulfills the requirements of the USSKBM-30-3 Cellular Pathology & Oncology resit coursework.

Running head: CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Discussion:...................................................................................................................................2
Cancer screening procedures:......................................................................................................2
Breast screening.......................................................................................................................3
Cervical screening:..................................................................................................................3
Bowel testing:..........................................................................................................................3
Future development in cancer screening:....................................................................................4
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................5
References:......................................................................................................................................6

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CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
Introduction:
Cancer screening has saved many lives by diagnosing the disease at an early stage.
Detecting cancer at an early stage increases the probability of the therapy’s effectiveness and in
turn helps improve the patient’s chances of survival. Histopathologists provides cancer
diagnostic service by examining cells and tissues that have been removed from suspected
tumour, identifies the nature of its abnormality, and, if malignant, provide the clinician with
information on cancer type, grade and response to certain treatments for some cancers. Currently,
histopathologists have key cancer screening responsibilities for breast, bowel and cervical
cancer; other programs are expected to take place in the near future. There are evidences
showing an increase in the number of people diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK
("Cancer Research UK", 2019). Therefore, the future strategies that will be incorporated in the
10 year plan, includes:
 The aim to match and compare the best survival of cancer worldwide in 10 years.
 The aim to live in a smoke free country, that is, less than 5% of the population smokes in
10 years.
 The aim to reduce diagnosis of cancer at the late stage to decrease the number of deaths.
Discussion:
Cancer screening procedures:
The NHS UK offers screening programs for the following cancer types:

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CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
Breast screening: It is available in all UK countries for females aged 50-70 (Torre et al., 2015).
Screening for cancer includes testing for indications that might demonstrate how a cancer
develops. It utilizes a mammography test that includes taking breast x-rays. Screening can assist
discover cancers of the breast soon if they're too small to look or feel (Morton, Sayma and Sura,
2017).
Cervical screening: Cervical screening is available in the UK for females between the ages of
25 and 64 (Torre et al., 2015). Cervical screening is done by Finding and treating abnormal
modifications in the womb's neck (cervix) that can cause cancer if untreated or by testing human
papilloma virus (HPV). Screening for modifications in cervical cells utilizes a test called
cytology, known as smear test. A nurse or a doctor with a tiny brush collects a sample of cervical
cells. To check for defects, they send the sample to the laboratory (nhs.uk, 2019).
Bowel testing: It is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for males and females
aged 60-74. In Scotland, screening is provided to males and females aged 50-74 (Torre et al.,
2015). There are 3 screening tests for bowel cancer-
 Faecal immunochemical test (FIT):
The FIT looks for small blood traces in the stool sample that it can be a cancer indication
of the intestine. It's simpler to use compared to the FOB test and it is the most widely used test to
detect cancer in England and Scotland (nhs.uk, 2019).
 The faecal occult blood (FOB) test:
The FOB test also looks for small blood traces that might not be seen and can be a sign of
cancer. The stool sample is smeared on a special card and then sent hygienically for testing in
prepaid and sealed envelope (nhs.uk, 2019).

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CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
 Looking into the bowel (bowel scope):
A slender, supple pipe with a tiny camera at the bottom is used to screen the bowel size to
glance inside the intestine. The test searches for polyps. In the lower intestine, they are most
probable to develop and become cancer (nhs.uk, 2019).
Future development in cancer screening:
Strategies are being developed for improving cancer survival backed up by right
investment and policies. The cancer screening approaches are being developed with the aim to
ensure broader health system transforms to prevalence of illness and detect disease earlier. The
ongoing process towards developing these screening methods includes testing diagnostic
pathways, and other methods. The future prospects are focused on the use and implementation of
new technologies like genomics, artificial intelligence and other diagnostic tests.
Current research is based on towards reducing deaths due to cancer by detecting cancer at
an early stage. There is an ongoing research for detecting pancreatic cancer by developing a
diagnostic test at an early stage with new-onset diabetes. Research is also going on developing
novel tools that will used to analyse liquid biopsies for pancreatic and oesophageal cancer.
Researchers are being funded by International Accelerator Award for carrying out research
towards developing disease model and produce data in order to study blood cancer and produce
data at an early stage. There are several other researches going on including the usage of
fluorescence camera to detect cancer and developing biomarkers to detect cancer ("Cancer
Research UK", 2019).

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CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
Conclusion:
In order to carry out the future strategies of the cancer screening methods in the UK
towards preventing deaths due to cancer, the health system needs to be strong enough to afford
and make use of the methods by proper investments.

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CANCER SCREENING METHODS IN THE UK AND BEYOND
References:
Cancer Research UK. (2019). Cancer Research UK.
Ebell, M., Thai, T. and Royalty, K. (2018). Cancer screening recommendations: an international
comparison of high income countries. Public Health Reviews, 39(1).
Morton, R., Sayma, M. and Sura, M.S., 2017. Economic analysis of the breast cancer screening
program used by the UK NHS: should the program be maintained?.Breast Cancer: Targets and
Therapy, 9, p.217.
nhs.uk. (2019). NHS screening. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-
screening/ [Accessed 3 Jul. 2019].
Torre, L.A., Bray, F., Siegel, R.L., Ferlay, J., Lortet‐Tieulent, J. and Jemal, A., 2015. Global
cancer statistics, 2012. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 65(2), pp.87-108.