All Checked Up

04/08/2026

The CA 125 blood test remains the most widely used marker for ovarian cancer. Previously a positive result was fixed at 35 IU/ml or above regardless of age.

However, following new research, the fixed figure was shown to be missing cancers in older women while triggering unnecessary investigations in younger ones

NICE (The uk government health body) has now released new guidance on how CA125 test results should be interpreted.

Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cancer in women in the UK, with around 7,000 new cases every year, and it is estimated that 1 in 50 UK females will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime. It causes around 4,100 deaths a year, making it a more frequent cause of death than cancers of the uterus or cervix.

CA125 is a protein which can be found on the surface of most ovarian cancer cells. Levels tend to be higher in women with ovarian cancer than in women without it, which makes CA125 a useful tumour marker, and remains the most widely used marker for ovarian cancer.

In March 2026, NICE issued new guidelines recommending that the threshold for reporting a positive CA125 test result should be determined by age, similar to how PSA values (A test to screen for Prostate Cancer in men) are currently interpreted.

You can read more about this in our article on our website.

24/07/2026

We're now open in Wilmslow, Cheshire for Blood Tests, Health Screening and Vaccinations. Located just off Water Lane at 12 Kennerleys Lane

13/04/2026

For Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, here's 3 simple tips to help you get an accurate test result when taking your Bowel Cancer Screening test.

The test shown is the Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (QFIT). The only test recommended in thr UK by NICE for Bowel Cancer Screening.

Order your kit from us and we provide a free stool collection bag which makes it easier and cleaner to collect your 💩 sample

09/04/2026

Just a quick run down on some of the most common test tubes used in blood tests and what each does.

There are more, like dark blue, red, green etc, but these are generally the most common ones used. Each have their own characteristics and some designed specifically for certain tests such as the light blue top for Coagulation tests (ie how well does your blood clot).

The grey one is generally used for measuring your glucose or sugar level, but by far the two most common are the Purple/Lavender EDTA tube used for Full Blood Count/Complete Blood Count

and the Yellow SST tube. SST standing for Serum Separator Tube because if you look at the bottom there is a gel which helps separate the liquid part or plasma part of the blood when centrifuged (Spun Down) so you essentially get two layers and this helps with analysing the blood sample later on.

So now you know why we take the tubes we take when coming in for your blood test.

07/04/2026

Did you know? Bowel cancer screening can reduce your risk of dying from bowel cancer by 25%.

So how does the test actually work?

✅ It's done completely at home — no clinic visit needed
✅ Order your bowel cancer screening test
✅ Collect a small stool sample using the kit provided
✅ Sent back to our UKAS accredited lab
✅ The test checks for tiny traces of blood in your stool that you wouldn't be able to see yourself
✅ Results are usually returned within 24 to 48 hours
✅ It's quick, private, and painless

Early detection really does save lives — bowel cancer is highly treatable when caught early. The hardest part is just getting started.

Order your kit today via the link in our bio.

BowelHealth

03/04/2026

Our opening hours over the Easter Bank Holiday

03/04/2026

02/04/2026

A new way to take collect your blood at home with our Arm Autocollect device. It's quick easy and honestly painless. You essentially peel off the sticky bit, stick on your forearm

01/03/2026

“Is male menopause real?”

It’s a term often used — but it doesn’t tell the full story.
Some men in midlife experience:
- Low mood
- Low s*x drive
- Erectile issues
- Muscle loss
- Weight gain around the middle
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Poor focus

Testosterone levels do slowly decline as men age — but it’s usually gradual and steady.

When symptoms are significant, it could be late-onset testosterone deficiency. Or it could be something else entirely.

Either way — it’s not “just aging.” And it’s not something you should ignore.

If you’ve noticed changes, start the conversation. Proper testing > guessing

23/02/2026

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women in the UK. But only 27% of cases of are diagnosed in the early stages

Pioneered by the University of Southampton, the trial is looking at whether a specialist medical tampon could help improve early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Named the Violet Study, vaginal fluid samples will be collected from women undergoing risk-reducing ovarian cancer surgery, using a diagnostic tampon and vaginal swabs.

In addition, tissue samples from the removed ovaries and fallopian tubes will be used to compare from women with the earliest signs of ovarian cancer to those without cancer

Scientists will check for alterations in biomarkers known as microRNAs — These are small biological signals found in both ovarian cancer cells and vaginal fluid. If these microRNAs are detected, this could suggest a potential approach for predicting ovarian cancer in the future.