UHNM lung health checks set to become national screening programme

More than 20,000 people in Stoke on Trent have already benefitted from a lung health check which is to be launched as a national screening programme.

The targeted lung health check programme has been inviting eligible people in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire for three years. During that time more than 130 lung cancers have been diagnosed with over three quarters at an early stage, meaning it is more treatable.

The targeted lung health check programme invites people aged between 55 and 75 who are current or ex-smokers to a lung health check.  An initial conversation with a specialist respiratory nurse will take place in a convenient local setting or by telephone appointment and those who have a higher chance of developing lung cancer will be offered a low dose CT scan.

The scheme was set up as a pilot and is due to be rolled out to other parts of Staffordshire including South Staffordshire and East Staffordshire before it becomes a national screening programme by 2030.

Dr Imran Hussain, UHNM Clinical Lead for Targeted Lung Health Checks in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire said: “From our own pilot programme in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire we know that identifying lung cancer early saves lives so the expansion of the programme nationally will help find and treat more people earlier. We are pleased we are leading the way and to have identified more than 130 cancers since our launch.

He added: “Lung cancer can often be caught too late as there are rarely symptoms at the earlier stages. The programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung cancer in order to spot signs earlier, at the stage when it’s much more treatable.”

He added: “We know that early diagnosis saves lives; therefore we want as many people in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who are aged 55-75, current or ex-smokers to take up this opportunity. Even if your lungs feel fine, it is best to get them checked out.”

For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme please visit www.uhnm.nhs.uk/TLC