WHEN SHOULD I START?

Your screening guide, by age.

Starting ages are a useful guide.
Your history and previous results matter too.

These are Malta’s published service criteria, rather than a personal testing schedule. National invitations, clinic assessments and follow-up for an existing condition work differently.

Adult screening: starting ages, frequency and access
Check	When to start / who it’s for	How often?	How to access
Cervical screeningNational programme	From 25, for women born in 1980 or later. Ask if you have a cervix and are unsure about inclusion.	Every 3 years; from age 50, every 5 years, according to the programme page.	Invitation. Confirm eligibility if born before 1980 or after a hysterectomy.Official cervical guidance ↗
Breast screeningNational programme	Women aged 50–69 without symptoms.	The service charter aims for a 2-year cycle; another official page describes 2½ years. Confirm your next due date.	Invitation; call if eligible but no letter.Official breast guidance ↗
Bowel / colorectal screeningNational programme · FIT kit	All individuals aged 50–74 on the current programme page.	The service charter describes a 2-year cycle. Follow your invitation and any individual follow-up plan.	Invitation and home kit; call if not received.Official bowel guidance ↗
Abdominal aortic aneurysmNational programme · ultrasound	Men aged 65 and over in the service charter; confirm invitation arrangements.	Usually no further tests after a normal scan. An aneurysm requires specialist monitoring or assessment.	The Centre invites participants; call to check.Official AAA guidance ↗
Glaucoma screeningHealth-centre clinic	Floriana lists 40+; Qormi lists 45+. Both list earlier access from 35 for diabetes; Qormi also lists relevant family history.	Ask the eye-care team; timing depends on findings and risk.	Appointment; these clinic pages say no referral is needed. Confirm local criteria.Floriana ↗Qormi ↗
Wellbeing assessmentCommunity clinic	Adults 18 and over. An opportunity to review health risks and discuss suitable checks.	Agree a review plan with the clinician; this is not an automatic annual blood-test package.	Book through PHC on 2123 1231 or 2122 2444.PHC service charter, page 31 ↗

Why do some sources differ? Programmes expand over time. Older charters list narrower bowel-screening ages, while the current programme page says 50–74. Breast-screening intervals also differ across official pages. Use the current programme page for eligibility and ask the Centre when your next test is due. Screening service charter ↗ · Official breast interval information ↗

Family history, higher risk and other checks

YOUR HISTORY CAN CHANGE THE PLAN

Sometimes the conversation starts earlier.

A close relative with bowel cancer, inherited cancer risk, inflammatory bowel disease or previous abnormal results may mean you need an individual plan. Tell your GP which relatives were affected and their ages at diagnosis. Ask when to start, which test to use and how often to repeat it.

If you are beyond a programme’s invitation age, discuss your health, previous tests and preferences with your GP rather than assuming all screening should stop.

Official advice on bowel-cancer family history ↗

BEYOND AGE-BASED INVITATIONS

What about blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes?

Bring these topics to a GP or wellbeing appointment. Ask which checks suit your history, medicines and previous readings, and when they should be repeated. This guide does not assign a universal Malta starting age where the linked services do not specify one.

Already have diabetes? Malta’s shared-care service includes yearly eye and foot checks. These are complication checks for people with diabetes, rather than tests to diagnose diabetes.

Official diabetes shared-care information ↗

Take these questions to your next appointment

Which checks are due for my age and medical history?
Does my family history mean I should start earlier?
When was my last test, and when is the next one due?
What are the benefits, limitations and possible follow-up tests?
Who will send my results, and who should I call if they don’t arrive?

For new symptoms, arrange medical advice now rather than waiting to reach a screening age.

See what each screening involves → Check possible costs →