Lung cancer screening

There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage. Lung cancer screening can find lung cancer at its earliest stage when it is easier to treat, often before you have any symptoms.

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Lung cancer screening can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible.

Screening is currently being rolled out across England and is available for eligible people aged between 55-74 years old who smoke or used to smoke and are registered with a participating GP practice.

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Of those picked up through the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, 75% are diagnosed with stage 1 and 2 when treatment can be more successful.

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There are two parts to lung cancer screening:

• Lung health check: After you receive a letter inviting you to take part, a patient care advisor (a non-medical professional) will call you to carry out a lung health check assessment over the phone, which takes around 15 minutes. They will ask you a series of questions about your overall health, your lung health and your smoking history. Your risk of lung cancer will be calculated and this will decide next steps.

• In person appointment: If your assessment finds that you meet a certain level of risk, you will be offered an in person appointment with a nurse and, if suitable, a CT scan of your chest. This will take place at a local mobile unit or NHS hospital.