The information requested on women's health hubs is not held by the Department. Breast screening is delivered through the NHS Breast Screening Programme, which invites eligible women aged 50 to 71 years old every three years. Information on breast awareness and screening eligibility is available through the National Health Service website and the NHS App.

There are currently no plans to change the existing local surveillance arrangements for women at moderate and high risk of breast cancer.

National Health Service breast screening for women at Very High Risk (VHR) starts earlier and is more frequent than those not at VHR. Guidance on eligibility for VHR screening is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-higher-risk-women-surveillance-protocols

The screening includes women:

• with specific proven germline variants;

• determined to be at the equivalent risk for an untested familial variant/unidentified genetic cause; and

• who have received radiotherapy to breast tissue during treatment for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Women who may be at higher risk for breast cancer due to other factors are not currently included within the NHS Breast Screening Programme VHR pathway and any surveillance requirements would be managed outside of the programme. Women who reach the criteria for moderate or high-risk screening with surveillance are currently offered this via family history screening provision managed locally with NHS trusts.

The new and world-leading NHS National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry (NICPR), part of the National Disease Registration Service, will help the NHS to deliver proactive, targeted prevention, surveillance, and earlier diagnosis for people and their families. Women at VHR of breast cancer are now identified within the NICPR and referred into the NHS Breast Screening Programme, which has enabled reconciliation to ensure that all identified women are safely referred into the programme. This is a step towards a fully electronic referral VHR process into the NHS Breast Screening Programme.

Ensuring that people with breast symptoms have timely access to diagnostic services and clinics is a priority for the Government. Through the National Cancer Plan, we are rolling out breast pain clinics nationally by the end of 2026, helping provide alternative pathways for people at risk of cancer while ensuring urgent diagnostic services remain available for those who need them most.

We will continue to empower cancer patients and provide them with more opportunities to act on risks to their health. We are already testing the use of NHS 111 Online and the NHS App for self-referral to suspected breast cancer pathways, helping to streamline access to diagnostic services and reduce delays. These pilots are intended to make it easier for people with concerning breast symptoms, including younger women who are not routinely invited for breast screening, to access appropriate assessment and referral.

In the future, our vision is that every neighbourhood will provide proactive, specialist, and preventative women's health care that complements and extends the primary care offer, directly delivering intermediate care services and leading population prevention within neighbourhoods, including preconception health, contraception, and screening services.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for people with breast cancer, including those at higher risk of developing the disease.

The new and world-leading NHS National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry (NICPR), which is part of the National Disease Registration Service, will help the National Health Service to deliver proactive, targeted prevention, surveillance, and earlier diagnosis for people and their families. Self-testing swabs will accelerate access to genomic tests, and those who need it will get genetic counselling, regular surveillance checks, and prophylactic treatment options.

Women at increased risk of breast cancer are included within the NICPR where they have inherited genetic variants associated with an increased risk of cancer. The NICPR supports the identification and management of individuals with inherited cancer predisposition syndromes, and women at very high risk of breast cancer are additionally supported through nationally commissioned NHS services, including the NHS Breast Screening Programme's very high-risk surveillance pathway.

The bowel cancer screening leaflet “Your guide to NHS bowel cancer screening” includes information on the symptoms of bowel cancer, with advice to see your general practitioner if you have symptoms, alongside information on the risks of bowel cancer with a link to information on how to lower your risk of bowel cancer. The leaflet is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bowel-cancer-screening-benefits-and-risks

There is also an easy read version at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bowel-cancer-screening-easy-guide

The leaflet is sent to all those who have previously not been invited or participated in screening. The leaflet is linked to through a QR code in the pre-invite letter for those who have previously participated.

In addition, other bowel cancer screening communication, where appropriate, includes the same information and advice in relation to the symptoms of bowel cancer. For example, the results letter people receive stating they do not need any further diagnostic tests reminds people of bowel cancer symptoms.

The Government is committed to providing quality and timely care and treatment to people with breast cancer, including through equitable access to modern breast screening technology. The NHS Breast Screening Programme is seeing improvement in uptake nationally with annual data from NHS England for 2024/25 showing 70.6% of women attending their appointment.

Digital mammography, which offers high quality images, currently remains the primary screening tool for the programme. At present, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an optional tool in the assessment of screen detected soft tissue breast abnormalities following mammography.

In 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), who advises the Government on all screening matters, set up a working group of breast cancer screening experts to help it consider new and emerging evidence and developments that could further improve the United Kingdom’s breast screening programme. This includes exploring DBT in addition to other tests and technologies, to detect breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. Other modalities are magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, using either hand-held or automated modalities, and contrast-enhanced mammography.

If, following this work, the UK NSC makes a recommendation regarding DBT, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, would be asked to make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, alongside wider policy and operational advice.

Service providers are responsible for purchasing and maintenance of breast screening equipment, and where there are issues and updates are required, they apply to the local capital investment programmes or the funding available in the current Spending Review period via the NHS England National Diagnostics Transformation Programme.

The Government is committed to providing quality and timely care and treatment to people with breast cancer, including through equitable access to modern breast screening technology. The NHS Breast Screening Programme is seeing improvement in uptake nationally with annual data from NHS England for 2024/25 showing 70.6% of women attending their appointment.

Digital mammography, which offers high quality images, currently remains the primary screening tool for the programme. At present, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an optional tool in the assessment of screen detected soft tissue breast abnormalities following mammography.

In 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), who advises the Government on all screening matters, set up a working group of breast cancer screening experts to help it consider new and emerging evidence and developments that could further improve the United Kingdom’s breast screening programme. This includes exploring DBT in addition to other tests and technologies, to detect breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. Other modalities are magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, using either hand-held or automated modalities, and contrast-enhanced mammography.

If, following this work, the UK NSC makes a recommendation regarding DBT, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, would be asked to make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, alongside wider policy and operational advice.

Service providers are responsible for purchasing and maintenance of breast screening equipment, and where there are issues and updates are required, they apply to the local capital investment programmes or the funding available in the current Spending Review period via the NHS England National Diagnostics Transformation Programme.

While the Department does not ring-fence integrated care board (ICB) funding exclusively for prostate cancer public awareness campaigns, community-level engagement programmes aimed at increasing awareness and early detection are supported via broader communication programmes, working in partnership with charities and local Cancer Alliances.

To increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, and to address barriers to acting on them, the National Health Service has run Help Us Help You campaigns. These campaigns focused on recognising a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers, including prostate cancer, at an earlier stage. NHS England and other NHS organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including prostate cancer. This information can be found at sources including the NHS website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/

The National Cancer Plan, published in February 2026, is backed by significant funding committed by the Government at the Spending Review, including £200 million next year for local Cancer Alliances. Alliances are encouraged to allocate a proportion of this funding to the delivery of local early diagnosis plans, to drive progress on data-led priorities. This can include work to support the diagnosis of prostate cancer, but it will vary by alliance depending on local need. In 2025/26, several alliances have undertaken work to support awareness and earlier diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The Government is committed to its ambition to change the National Health Service so that it diagnoses earlier and treats faster. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme plays a vital role in this. Across the NHS, local systems and partnerships are working together to find ways to make cervical screening more accessible for people with a learning disability.

Following the launch of the Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag Information Standard, NHS England is considering the role this digital flag has in further personalisation in the programme.

Reasonable adjustments can include:

• a longer or double appointment;
• information in other languages or formats, or an interpreter;
• a chaperone in the room; and/or
• an appointment with a trusted doctor or nurse who the individual already has a good relationship with.

Additionally, in early 2026, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme will be offering a self-testing kit to under-screened women, starting with those who are the most overdue for screening. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from screening.

The Department has had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on updating its guideline on type 1 diabetes. NICE is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its guidance should be updated in the light of new evidence.

NICE translates research into evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on best practice in the diagnosis and treatment of NHS patients, but it does not make recommendations on the use of screening programmes in its guidance. The Government is led by the advice of the UK National Screening Committee on all matters relating to targeted and population screening. A screening programme is only recommended where the evidence shows it will do more good than harm.

The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is commissioned by Cancer Alliances rather than by integrated care boards (ICBs), using ring-fenced cancer Service Development Funding. There are 20 Cancer Alliances in England, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/cancer/cancer-alliances-improving-care-locally/

The programme is currently live in all 20 Cancer Alliances, however it is not live in all ICB geographies yet. Approximately 41% of England’s eligible population, or 2,852,098 people, have been invited. More than 8,000 lung cancers have been diagnosed, the majority of which have been at an early stage.

While uptake rates in England remain high by international standards, in recent years adolescent vaccine coverage for the human papillomavirus (HPV) has fallen due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. National Health Service commissioned School Aged Immunisation Service providers have robust catch-up plans in place for the adolescent vaccination programme based on population need, to offer vaccination to those young people who may have missed out during the initial offer.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes and provides a range of supporting materials to health professionals on both the 12 and 13 year old HPV offer, and the vaccine programme for those at higher risk. The UKHSA also works closely with charities and academics to develop resources that can be used to raise awareness of HPV and the importance of vaccination, including for boys.

NHS England has improved digital communications on vaccinations, including by expanding the NHS App, and has improved access to the HPV vaccine outside of schools through community clinics at convenient times and locations.

In March 2025, NHS England published the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, setting out how the NHS will improve equitable uptake and coverage across HPV vaccination and cervical screening to meet the goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Further information on the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/

In June 2025, NHS England launched the cervical cancer elimination campaign and toolkit for stakeholders, to increase awareness of the elimination target by 2040, educate the public about HPV, and build confidence in the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.

NHS England continues to develop its strategy, building on the strong foundations of both school-based programmes, ensuring as many young people as possible take up the offer of HPV vaccination, and cervical screening offered by local general practices (GPs) and other venues. Key activities to increase equitable HPV vaccine and screening uptake include:

- all children, both boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years old, or those in Year 8, being offered the HPV vaccine. Vaccinating boys not only helps to protect girls, it also directly benefits them, as HPV vaccination helps to protect boys from HPV related cancers, such as head, neck, and genital cancers. NHS England is taking a multi-pronged approach to improving HPV vaccine uptake. This includes improvements in School Age Immunisations Service provider delivery, investing in better digital services and data, improving access to vaccination services in supplementary settings, and continuing to deliver clear public health messaging;

- ensuring appropriate follow-up for those who have not yet been vaccinated, as NHS England has launched the GP HPV campaign, which went live from July 2025. GPs have been asked to invite unvaccinated individuals aged 16 to 24 years old for their HPV vaccine as a requirement of the GP Contract. The campaign runs until 31 March 2026;

- NHS England working with the Department and the UK Health Security Agency to develop options for HPV catch-up vaccination through community pharmacies from 2026;

- improving confidence in vaccinations, by working with Government partners to deliver improved campaigns that raise awareness of vaccination;

- indicating our intention to transform our approach to cervical screening for under-screened women or people with a cervix in July 2025. From early 2026, they will receive home testing kits, starting with those that are the most overdue for screening. This will help to tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from life-saving screening;

- the Digital Transformation of Screening programme, which is leading an ambitious, end-to-end transformation of screening services, and which is being rolled out in a test and learn way. New digital services will support screening participants to manage their screening appointments via the NHS App as well as delivering new, artificial intelligence ready services for staff, freeing up their time to focus on care;

- taking insight driven approaches to addressing inequalities using both data and behavioural insights to target communications and activities to increase uptake and coverage;

- sharing good practice among regions, integrated care boards, and providers, with NHS England having developed a central online resource which includes information on reducing inequalities and supporting equalities, and where all information can be readily accessed by NHS organisations and providers;

- NHS England launching our first ever cervical cancer elimination creative campaign and communications toolkit for Cervical Screening Awareness Week, from 16 to 24 June 2025. This will continue to be developed;

- engaging and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, which will be central to the ongoing delivery of the Cervical Cancer Elimination plan, and ultimately the elimination of cervical cancer in England; and

- carrying out screening in any primary care setting, including sexual health clinics, rather than just at GPs. This includes evenings and on weekends.

The United Kingdom Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is undergoing several updates to its standards aimed at improving coverage, accessibility, and early detection. This includes updated performance thresholds, and improved accessibility of bowel cancer screening faecal immunochemical test kits for people who are blind or partially sighted.

It is recognised that pharmacies frequently serve as the initial point of contact for individuals presenting with non-specific bowel symptoms. We recommend that individuals maintain a dialogue with pharmacists; however, those exhibiting potential signs of cancer are strongly advised to contact their GP practice to support earlier diagnosis. Therefore, no assessment has been made.

Dental screening is not recommended due to a lack of evidence that it effectively reduces dental disease. Professionals working in general practice, pharmacy, and community-based services have an important role to help people prevent oral disease and access dental services.

Evidence-based advice has been published to support health professionals to improve and maintain the oral and general health of their patients or members of the public. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention.

Other resources are also available including those for adults and children, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-oral-health-applying-all-our-health/adult-oral-health-applying-all-our-health#further-reading-resources-and-good-practice

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-oral-health-applying-all-our-health.

Signposting to dental services should follow local commissioning arrangements. Our commitment to neighbourhood health will provide further opportunities to bring together teams of professionals closer to people’s home in the community, which could include dental therapists and dental nurses.

The National Health Service is taking crucial steps to improve cancer outcomes for patients across England, including for lung cancer. The NHS is currently rolling out the National Lung Cancer Screening Programme to people with a history of smoking.

The timescale for full implementation of the lung cancer screening programme, alongside further 10-Year Health Plan initiatives, will be specified in due course.

The Government and Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) have announced the £42 million TRANSFORM screening trial to find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer to find it before it becomes advanced and harder to treat. PCUK is managing the award on behalf of the funders, with the Government contributing £16 million through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The UK National Screening Committee is working closely with the TRANSFORM trial team and will assess new evidence as it becomes available. This will ensure that prostate cancer policy is kept at the forefront of the Government’s cancer agenda. Although the TRANSFORM trial will run for over a decade, PCUK anticipate initial findings within the next three years.

The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including prostate cancer.

The latest available screening data, for 2023/24, shows that in England, 6.69 million women were eligible for breast screening. Over 70%, or 4.6 million, of these eligible women had a breast screening result recorded within that last three-year period. Approximately 30%, or 1.97 million, of these eligible women did not have a breast screening test result recorded in that last three-year period.

In the 2023/24 screening year in Surrey, 141,778 women were eligible for breast screening and 71.3%, or 101,088, had a breast screening result recorded within that last three-year period. This is higher than the national coverage of 70%. Approximately 28.7%, or 40,690, of these eligible women did not have a breast screening result recorded within that last three-year period in Surrey.

We will be working with experts, including general practitioners (GPs), over the coming months to co-design the menopause content for the NHS Health Check. The NHS Health Check Best Practice Guidance will be updated to reflect the addition of menopause, and it will be for local authority commissioners to implement this through their NHS Health Check providers and ensure that staff have adequate training.

Support from the NHS Health Check will be tailored based on the individual and their own experiences and circumstances. Support may range from directing women to appropriate online resources with the right information, through to a GP appointment to assess the women’s symptoms further and identify how to best treat and manage them. This will mean eligible women can access high-quality information on menopause more easily.

As the hon. Member will know from my recent answer to Question 47566, Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials reviewed with interest the recent British Journal of Urology International research letter on a potentially increased risk of bladder cancer in military personnel exposed to explosive ordnance. This is a complex scientific area, and the MOD has referred this matter to the Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) for their independent medical advice. The possible link between exposure to explosives and an increased risk of bladder cancer among military personnel will be discussed by the IMEG at their June 2025 meeting and their advice will inform decisions on next steps.

I can confirm that no discussions have taken place with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. I am advised there is currently a lack of medical evidence to support screening this population for bladder cancer.