NHS England » Thousands of cancer cases are being detected early by NHS lung checks

More than 5,000 people in England have been previously diagnosed with lung cancer thanks to an innovative NHS initiative using mobile scanning vans to visit local communities.

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Program is the largest initiative in the history of the NHS aimed at improving the early diagnosis of lung cancer, specifically targeting areas of the country with the highest rates of lung cancer.

The latest NHS data shows that 5,037 cases of lung cancer have now been detected through the program since it was launched in 2019.

Data also shows that more than three-quarters (76%) of lung cancers identified by the program were found in the earliest stages of one and two, when the lung cancer is potentially curable. People diagnosed with lung cancer in its earliest stages are almost twenty times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is detected late.

Using a mix of hospital services and roving scan vans visiting suitable community locations such as supermarket car parks, sports stadiums and city centres, in-depth lung health checks are carried out on current and former smokers.

NHS data also shows that more than a third of people with lung cancer from the most deprived areas of England were diagnosed at an earlier stage since the targeted lung health checks initiative started.

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS director of cancer, said: “These lung checks can save lives, so it’s fantastic that the NHS has been able to diagnose thousands of people at an early stage, while lung cancer is potentially curable.

“The targeted lung health screening program is a new model of care with a community focus, making it easier for people to come forward in a way that works for them, whether it’s in a supermarket car park or a sports stadium. It has been great to see the response, and initiatives like this will make a big difference in improving the survival chances of people across the country.”

NHS data shows that there was a 7.4% improvement in early diagnosis of lung cancer by the NHS last year (April 2023 to March 2024) compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (March 2019 to February 2020).

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in Britain, with 72% of cases caused by smoking, leading to around 35,000 deaths each year.

Symptoms of lung cancer include a long-lasting cough that gets worse, coughing up blood, persistent shortness of breath, persistent fatigue or lack of energy, and an unexplained loss of weight or appetite.

Under the program, current and former smokers between the ages of 55 and 74 are invited to speak with a nurse or other health care professional about their lung health. If they are more likely to develop cancer, they will be offered a computed tomography (CT) scan. their lungs on a mobile scanning unit.

The UK National Screening Committee and the government have announced that the Targeted Lung Health Check Program should be fully rolled out across the country by 2030.

One person who has benefited from an earlier cancer diagnosis thanks to the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Program is David Assheton, aged 70 from Rugby.

A former mechanic, David led an active lifestyle and regularly played hockey, tennis and cycling. Despite feeling completely healthy, he was one of many people around him who received an invitation for a lung health check and decided to get checked. During the scan, which took place in a mobile unit in the car park of a local supermarket, a small lump was discovered in his lung.

He underwent surgery to remove the lump and thanks to the early detection, no further treatment was needed. Follow-up appointments confirmed that David was free of cancer.

David said: “My first scan was in a Sainsbury’s car park and the appointment was very well organised. A phone call followed and another scan because they found a suspicious lump. I was told not to worry and was given a surgery date, which came around quite quickly. On the day of the surgery, I was worried because I didn’t know what to expect, having never been admitted to a hospital before.

“I was shocked when I found out I had cancer and thought it would be quite difficult to deal with given how fit I was. Even though I was worried about everything, I was surprised at how quickly I recovered from the surgery. Within a week I was able to walk and six weeks after my operation I was able to play hockey again. You’ll be surprised to know that I had surgery at all!

“I had surgery, was in hospital for five days and was told that 10% of my right lung had been removed. Fortunately, no further action was necessary because they discovered it early. I have another follow-up examination soon and I hope that I am completely healthy and that the cancer will no longer come near me.

“As a former mechanic, I like to think about health checks, such as preventive maintenance on your car. Just as your car needs regular maintenance, so does your body. So go and get checked!”

NHS leaders want everyone who receives an invitation for a lung health check to attend, regardless of whether they think they are in good health or not.

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic to see more lives continuing to be saved through the Targeted Lung Health Checks and we urge everyone who is invited to take up the opportunity.

“As David’s experience shows, you can be fit and healthy and have no symptoms but still have lung cancer, so it’s so important to get control. It could save your life.”

Lung cancer usually does not cause any noticeable symptoms until it spreads through the lungs or to other parts of the body.

Cancer Research UK CEO Michelle Mitchell said: “Lung cancer still causes more deaths in Britain than any other form of cancer. Early diagnosis saves lives, which is why lung screening for people at high risk for the disease is so important.

“Thanks to the dedicated work of NHS staff, today’s figures show that the program in England is already having a huge impact on people’s lives by bringing care into the community and providing support to quit smoking. Expanding the program across England will help detect more cancer cases, and we hope to see targeted lung screening implemented across Britain so people can benefit from potentially life-saving checks. It is essential that people can get help with quitting smoking both during and after the program.”

If someone has symptoms of lung cancer, he or she should go to the doctor immediately and not wait for a lung health check.