Lung Cancer Screening Coming to Bracknell – What You Need to Know

On Saturday 19 July, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation attended Bracknell Forest Culture and Community Day to help raise awareness of an important health initiative coming to the area: the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme, which will launch in Bracknell in September 2025. The event was also attended by representatives from Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance and InHealth, which provide the Lung Cancer Screening Programme locally.

Their presence helped spark vital conversations about the importance of early detection of Lung Cancer and what residents can expect when this new lung cancer screening programme begins. One of the highlights of the event was a striking 12-foot-high inflatable pair of lungs, large enough for visitors to step inside. The installation allowed people to learn about typical lung structures and lung health.

The inflatable lungs were especially popular with children, giving healthcare staff the perfect opportunity to speak with their parents and grandparents about the importance of screening. Lung cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms in its early stages, so screening can play a crucial role in detecting it sooner treatment is more effective, and survival rates are higher.

The NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme is a national initiative designed to detect lung cancer early. It is being rolled out in phases across the country, and Bracknell residents will begin to be invited from September 2025. So far, the programme has already identified 272 cases of lung cancer across Surrey and Sussex, with 75% diagnosed at an early stage. In the Frimley Health and Care area alone, 77 lung cancers have been detected with over 80% of them caught early.

Pete, a local resident from Slough shared his success story after taking part in the programme: if you get a letter in the post saying you should go for a CT scan, do it! It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. If you’ve got it, like I had, catch it early. Have an op, like I did, and you’ll be right as rain”.

Key information for residents:

• You do not need to contact your GP to book into the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
• If you are eligible, you will be invited directly by InHealth, who are working alongside the NHS. The invitation letter will come in a yellow envelope.
• The checks are by invitation only and based on specific criteria such as age and smoking history.
• People aged between 55 and 74, who smoke or who have ever smoked, will be automatically invited for a lung health check as the programme reaches their area.
• We kindly ask that you wait to be contacted. More information will be shared as the programme rolls out locally.

This initiative is a key part of our shared commitment to improving early diagnosis and supporting better outcomes for people at risk of lung cancer.

We would like to thank the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Bracknell Forest Council for supporting this awareness effort and engaging with the community in such a meaningful way.

For updates on the programme please visit the Frimley NHS Lung Cancer Screening website.