Getting diagnosed
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.
There is no national screening programme for NHL in the UK. This is because:
it isn't clear that screening for NHL can save lives
the tests have risks
some of the tests can be expensive
See your GP if you have any of the possible symptoms of NHL, or are worried about your cancer risk.
Last reviewed: 01 May 2024
Next review due: 01 May 2027
The most common symptom of NHL is one or more painless swellings in the neck, armpit or groin.
Factors that increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma include certain types of infection, a weakened immune system or a previous history of cancer and treatment.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you to a specialist doctor (haematologist) and organise tests.
Your treatment depends on the type and stage of your NHL. Common treatments include chemotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy drugs, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
Practical and emotional support is available to help you cope with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are more than 60 different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They can behave in very different ways and need different treatments.
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