Population screening explained
Screening is the process of identifying apparently healthy people who may have an increased chance of a disease or condition.
The screening provider then offers information, further tests and treatment. This is to reduce associated problems or complications.
Screening should always be a personal choice.
It can be helpful to think of screening like a sieve. In this diagram, a large group of people accept the offer of a screening test.
The sieve represents the screening test and most people pass through it. This means they have a low chance of having the condition screened for.
The people left in the sieve have a higher chance of having the condition. A further investigation is then offered to them.
Identification through this process can show that they have the condition screened for. The person may need further confirmatory diagnostic tests.
At each stage of the screening process, people can make their own choices about further:
Because apparently healthy people are invited for screening, healthcare professionals have to ensure individuals receive:
It is important to have realistic expectations of what a screening programme does.
Screening can:
Screening does not guarantee protection. Receiving a low chance result does not prevent the person from developing the condition at a later date.
In any screening programme there are false positive and false negative results.
False positive: someone with a positive screening result who does not have the target condition.
False negative: someone with a negative screening result who does have the target condition.
All screening programmes should support personal informed choice and produce screening information with this aim in mind. See UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) guidance on informed choice.
These videos explain more about population screening:
Female lifetime screening pathway
Male lifetime screening pathway
screening offered to pregnant women and newborn babies
Screening providers can print off copies of an A4 timeline of all national screening programmes available in the English NHS to raise awareness of screening among the public and other health professionals.
A short ‘introduction to population screening’ e-learning module is available. This explains what screening is, using animations, videos and quizzes. It is open to everyone and does not require registration.
Find out more about education and training resources for screening.
