Screening for CML

There is no national screening programme for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). This is because this condition is rare, so many people would have unnecessary tests.

What is cancer screening?

Screening means testing people for early stages of a disease. This is before they have any symptoms. For screening to be useful the tests:

• need to be reliable at picking up cancers
• overall must do more good than harm to people taking part
• must be something that people are willing to do

Screening tests are not perfect and have some risks. The screening programme should also be good value for money for the NHS.

Leukaemia generally is not a common condition. Talk to your GP if you think you are at higher than average risk of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).