Table 1.

Regulations and recommendations for the different health check-ups in the UK

Health check-up	Breast cancer screening	Cervical cancer screening	Blood pressure check	Cholesterol test	Dental screening	Eyesight test
National NHS programme	Yes (NHSBSP)	Yes (NHSCSP)	No	No	No	No
Age limits	Until 2002: women between age 50 and 64 After 2002: extension to women between age 65 and 70	20–64 (dependent from country and year in the UK)	Recommended for adults aged over 20	Recommended for adults aged over 20	Recommended for every individual without age limits	Recommended especially for individuals aged 60 years and older or earlier with risk factors or close relatives with eye disease
Recommended time interval between screening examinations	3-year period	Age 20–64 until 2003 in England: 3–5-year period with majority of Primary Care Trusts followed a 3-year invitation policy Age 25–49 after 2003 in England: 3-year period Age 50–64 after 2003 in England: 5-year period in England	At least every 5 years without risk factors/comorbidities At least every 1 year with risk factors and older patients Several times per year for individuals with hypertension	At least every 5 years without risk factors At least every 1–2 years with risk factors Several times per year for individuals with hypercholesterolaemia	Until 2004: every 6 months independent from the current dental status After 2004: at least one dental screening every 2 years, unless the dentist recommends a different interval based on the patient's current dental status	Recommended every 2 years, or more frequently with risk factors
Differences in invitation policy for different parts of the UK	No	Yes Age of first invitation: age 20 in Scotland, Wales until 2003: age 20 in England after 2003: age 25 in England Invitation period policy: 3-year period between age 20 and 60 in Scotland 3-year period between age 20 and 64 in Wales	No	No	No	No
Risk factors/comorbidities for screening examinations	Close female relatives with a history of breast cancer	Close female relatives with a history of cervical cancer	Overweight, obesity, diabetes, family history of high blood pressure, smoking and lack of exercise	Overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, family history of early cardiovascular disease or familial hypercholesterolaemia	No	Selected diseases predisposing to eye disorders, for example diabetes or glaucoma
Charge from the patient	No	No	No	No	Yes Free for those under the age of 18 or on income support Since 2006: free for all individuals in Scotland and for all individuals under age 25 and age 60 or over in Wales	Yes Free for individuals age 60 and older, registered blind or partially sighted individuals, or with diabetes or glaucoma Since 2006: free in Scotland

NHS, National Health Service; NHSBSP, NHS Breast Screening Programme; NHSCSP, NHS Cervical Screening Programme.