Lung cancer checks are saving lives
More than 5,000 people in England, 51 from our local area, have been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier thanks to an NHS initiative, which uses mobile scanning trucks to visit local communities.
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer in the UK, leading to around 35,000 deaths each year. An estimated 72% of cases are caused by smoking.
The NHS Lung Health Check Programme is the biggest initiative in NHS history aimed at improving early lung cancer diagnosis, at a stage when it is more treatable, and is specifically targeted at areas of the country with the highest rates of lung cancer.
Within Frimley Health and Care, our latest data shows that over 13,000 lung checks have been carried out since the programme launched in Slough in late 2022. Almost 6,000 Computerised Tomography (CT) scans have been performed, diagnosing 51 lung cancers – 70% of which were found at an early stage when the patient had little or no symptoms.
However over 24,400 invitations to take up the offer have been sent to residents in Slough, Farnborough and Aldershot to date, meaning many local people have not come forward for this potentially live saving health check.
Under the programme eligible patients, who are current or past smokers aged between 55 and 74 years of age, are invited through their GP practice via letter, to speak with a nurse or other healthcare professional about their lung health and, if they have a higher chance of developing cancer, are offered a CT scan. A CT scan is a simple, painless scan of the lungs on a mobile scanning unit which is often conveniently located in community destinations such as supermarkets.
One person who benefited from an earlier cancer diagnosis thanks to the lung health check programme, is Pete Barrett, from Slough.
Pete took up his offer of a lung health check when the service first came to Slough in 2022 and told us of his shock at being informed his scan had detected small shadows on his lung which indicated an issue as he was seeing no symptoms.
The team at NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust carried out further tests to determine the extent of the issue and ultimately supported Pete through lung surgery, removing the tumour.
After a quick stay in hospital, Pete was home again and continuing to support his wife who lives with vascular dementia.
Pete is urging those who are invited to take up the offer of this preventative screening and said: "Go and get yourself done! If you've got it, like I had, catch it early. Have an op, like I did, and you'll be as right as rain."
You can hear Pete’s story in full by viewing this short video.
Make sure you know the signs this lung cancer awareness month
Whilst scanning can help, the NHS is also urging people to be vigilant to the signs in health that something isn’t right, particularly if they fall within the high-risk group of current or former smokers.
Lung cancer symptoms can be subtle, often mistaken for less serious conditions, and may not show until the disease is in a more advanced stage. However, understanding and watching for symptoms can make a huge difference.
Among the symptoms of lung cancer are a long-standing cough, coughing up blood, persistent breathlessness, continuing tiredness or lack of energy, and an unexplained loss of weight or appetite.
Dr Cat Hodges, Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance Primary Care Lead (Surrey) 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.”
Preventative Steps for lung health
While lung cancer cannot be entirely prevented, certain lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk:
- Quit smoking – Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and quitting at any age lowers risk significantly. The NHS offers free support through smoking cessation programs, nicotine replacement therapy, and counselling.
- Avoid second-hand smoke – Limiting exposure to second-hand smoke can help, as non-smokers exposed to smoke are at higher risk for developing lung cancer.
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine – A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can support overall lung health, while regular exercise helps strengthen the respiratory system.
To read more about the Lung checks screening visit Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance
Macmillan has information on signs and symptoms of lung cancer and support for people affected by lung cancer. Find it here: Macmillan/LungCancerAwarenessMonth
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has a range of support and information for people affected by lung cancer.