UHNM welcomes NHS England Cancer Plan as Lung Cancer Screening reaches full rollout of eligible people in Staffordshire

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has welcomed the launch of the new NHS England National Cancer plan and confirmed that UHNM lung cancer screening has now reached full rollout for all eligible people across Staffordshire - a major milestone in early cancer detection efforts.  

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK, with early diagnosis proven to significantly improve survival outcomes. NHS targeted lung cancer screening invites people aged 55–74 who are current or former smokers to undergo a lung health check and, where appropriate, a low dose CT scan to detect signs of lung cancer before symptoms appear.

The Staffordshire programme builds on UHNM’s successful pilot in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, which has already diagnosed around 500 lung cancers with more than three quarters at an early, more treatable stage. Expanding to cover the entire region ensures thousands more residents can now benefit from these potentially life saving checks. 

With new mobile scanning unit and community-based appointments, access to screening has improved significantly, reducing travel barriers and helping increase uptake in areas with historically lower screening attendance.  

Anna Haddon, a Tamworth resident who was recently scanned at the mobile scanning unit, said: My experience was perfect. It’s well worth coming for a scan, they check your lungs, and you receive your result within a couple of weeks. There is nothing to be frightened about; it only takes two to three minutes, and the staff are very helpful and supportive.”

The national cancer plan sets out NHS England’s commitment to earlier diagnosis, improved survival rates and tackling health inequalities, priorities that are already delivering real impact locally through the UHNM Lung Cancer Screening Programme.

Dr Imran Hussain, Clinical Lead for Lung Cancer Screening at UHNM, said:
“We are proud to be leading the way in lung cancer screening. Early diagnosis saves lives, and by rolling out the service to all eligible people in Staffordshire, we can identify cancers sooner and offer treatment when it is most effective.”

UHNM urges all eligible residents aged 55–74 who currently smoke or have smoked in the past to take up their screening invitation even if they feel well, as early lung cancer often has no symptoms.