Diagnosing
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.
Find out more about screening for cancer
There is no screening programme for gallbladder cancer in the UK at the moment because:
doctors wouldn't find many cancers because it's so rare in the UK
there is no suitable test to use for gallbladder cancer screening
current tests have risks that outweigh the benefits for most people
the cost of screening would be high
With rare cancers, it is more cost effective to screen people who are thought to be at a higher risk. Talk to your GP if you think you are at a higher than average risk of gallbladder cancer. If your doctor agrees they may be able to give you regular check ups.
Read more about the risks and causes of gallbladder cancer
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare disease that causes inflammation of the . People with PSC have an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
You have regular check ups and tests if you are diagnosed with PSC. Doctors call this surveillance. Your doctor can use these tests to look for signs of gallbladder cancer.
Gallbladder cancer is rare, but you should see your GP is you have any possible symptoms.
Last reviewed: 27 Oct 2026
Next review due: 27 Oct 2029
Find answers to frequently asked questions about cancer screening, including screening pros and cons, why it's only available for certain cancer types and age groups, and how to decide if screening right for you.
Gallbladder cancer is cancer that starts in part of the digestive system called the gallbladder. It is a rare cancer in the UK and more common in women than men.
Factors that increase the risk of developing gallbladder cancer include age, gallstones, gallbladder polyps and being overweight. Read about these and other risk factors.
The symptoms of gallbladder cancer include tummy pain, feeling sick, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) or an enlarged gallbladder.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you for tests or to a specialist if you have symptoms that could be caused by gallbladder cancer.
You have a number of tests to check for gallbladder cancer. This can include a physical examination, blood tests, biopsy and different types of scans.
