Targeted Lung Health Checks saving lives in Slough
Slough residents between the age of 55-74 years, who are smokers or former smokers have been taking up their invitation to have a free NHS Targeted Lung Health Check which can detect cancer and other lung conditions at an earlier stage and often before symptoms occur.
Slough is among 43 locations across the country chosen to run the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) programme, and was selected on a basis of population size, smoking prevalence and late stage lung cancers..
Dr Jonathan Macintyre, Cancer lead clinician at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Director for the Frimley TLHC programme, says:
“We’re delighted to offer patients Targeted Lung Health checks in Slough and would urge anyone receiving a letter or text message to take up the offer before the programme moves to another area.
These checks have already detected lung cancer in 18 patients, all of whom have gone ahead to receive treatment from the specialist team at Frimley Health Foundation Trust. Almost 800 further patients have been identified by health care professionals as individuals who would benefit from supportive conversations around prevention and management of lung conditions detected through the scan.”
GP practices in Slough are working with specialist healthcare teams to invite eligible residents via a letters which arrives in a yellow envelope and for patients who have also registered their mobile phone number with their practice, via a text message. Patients are then able to book directly with the service.
Those taking up the offer, will have an initial phone assessment with a specially trained health care professional. If the assessment finds the person to be higher risk, they will be offered a free low dose CT scan of their lungs for further investigation (a CT scan is a series of X-rays taken from different angles).
The scanner is housed in a mobile unit, and located in an accessible central Slough location at Asda Telford Dr, Slough SL1 9LA. On board the scanner unit will be a medical nurse, a healthcare assistant and a radiographer.
Local resident Christine told us “The lung health check unit is clean, the staff are friendly and there is no pain or hassle. I would encourage people to have it done. What's 20 minutes out of your day!”
Mr C Walters, also a Colnbrook resident told us about his experience.
“As a wheelchair user I always worry when being asked to go somewhere that isn’t a hospital as access can be an issue but when I arrived at the lung health check they were very helpful and there was a lift to get me into the machine, the staff were excellent and I would definitely recommend going to get yourself checked.”
Dr Cat Hodges, Surrey and Sussex cancer alliance primary care lead says: “The most common symptom of lung cancer is a persistent cough. So if you or a loved one have had that cough for three weeks or more contact your GP practice – your doctor will want to see you. It may be nothing serious, but if it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable.”
Dr Hodges adds: “As well as a cough, other signs of lung cancer include bringing up any blood when you cough, any worsening of breathlessness if you already have a lung condition, or any unexplained weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your GP practice as soon as possible.”
As smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, patients who are invited for a lung health check and who do smoke, will also be offered advice and support to help them quit.
For more information, please visit www.frimleylunghealthcheck.nhs.uk