Past and present smokers in North East Lincolnshire now have access to free Lung Health Checks
It's part of a new programme hoping to detect cancer at early stages
For the first time, people across North East Lincolnshire will have access to free Lung Health Checks in a new programme that identifies those most at risk of cancer.
Currently around 40,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and the majority of those are found at a stage that is untreatable.
The risk of getting this cancer is increased by a past of smoking.
More than 19,000 people in the area have been identified as high risk so far and are being invited to have a CT scan in a mobile unit.
The free NHS Targeted Lung Health Check, which can identify potential lung problems earlier when they are easier to treat
The checks are open to past and present smokers aged between 55 and 74, who are registered with a local GP, and support the NHS ambition to detect more cancers at an earlier stage.
Dr Stuart Baugh, Clinical Director for the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in North East Lincolnshire said:
“Lung cancer especially, is often diagnosed at a later stage as there are rarely symptoms early in the illness. The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme checks those most at risk of developing lung cancer to spot signs of lung and chest problems earlier when treatment can be simpler and more effective."
He also told us why they've brought this to North East Lincolnshire for the first time:
"North East Lincolnshire has the 20th worst rates of lung cancer and outcomes in the country. Therefore there's a need for this service around here and that's the reason we're in North East Lincolnshire now and as soon as we've finished here, we'll move onto North Lincolnshire."
Stuart added:
“Finding cancers early is essential. From what we’ve seen during the initial pilot phases, such as that in nearby Hull, Lung Health Checks are undoubtedly playing a big part in improving cancer outcomes across the UK.”
Eligible people are being contacted in phases and will receive a letter from their GP inviting them to book an appointment. Those first receiving invites are patients from The Roxton Practice Immingham, followed by Open Door and Quayside Medical Centre.
Anyone invited for a Lung Health Check has an initial 20-minute phone assessment with a specially trained health care professional. This looks at breathing, lifestyle, family, and medical history.
If the assessment finds the person to be at high risk, they are offered a low dose CT scan which can detect early signs of lung cancer or lung disease.
Dr Iain Chalmers, Cancer Care Lead for North and North East Lincolnshire and Medical Director at St Andrews Hospice Grimsby added: “Lung Health Checks are going to make a huge difference to so many people. I urge anyone, who receives a letter, to make an appointment. If any problems with your lungs are found early, it could ultimately save your life.”
CT scans take place in a mobile unit in community locations such as supermarket car parks and sports stadiums, making it easy for people to park and drop in.
As the Lung Health Checks will operate in phases, the unit will move around to be convenient and accessible to people in those areas. The unit is expected to be in and around North East Lincolnshire for the next 12 months.
We went by on their first day where they were located in Immingham. Whilst there, we spoke to Brian Crow, who had been invited to attend and lives in Immingham. He said:
"I do like the idea of the mobile unit, and I did want to participate in it.
"I first got a letter inviting me to take part in this programme and from that it explained I would be interviewed by a nurse, and then from that assessment it was deemed that I could have a scan, which I was quite happy to have. I know with lung cancer, it's the biggest killer. Caught early it's more likely to be simply treated with a more successful outcome.
He also told us his experience and relationship with smoking:
"I've been stopped for 27 years now, and I'm glad I did because I knew I'd have problems if I didn't. But I know because I'd smoked so many it put me up on the scale of points to have the scan, and I'm glad to have had the scan.
"Everyone was very friendly and nice and I felt very comfortable. I had a height and weight check and then the scan - which was a lot quicker than I expected. So I was happy with that and I'm expecting results in three to four weeks."
Kay and David Lane were also invited to get a check because of their history with smoking.
David shared the fact he'd been smoking for a long time:
"I smoked quite heavily for 30 years, before I gave up, and that was about 15-20 years ago.
"Kay has the added complication that both her parents died of lung cancer."
Kay added:
"I was smoking for about 30 odd years. My dad said to me, when he was sort of dying in hospital, you know, 'look at me... stop'. Initially that didn't help, even though I wanted to stop, it's easier said than done but I got there in the end.
"This is the first time I've been checked but it is important."
David continued to say he knows how important it is:
"I've had, in the last sort of five, six years, I've had two friends die of lung cancer, and it's not pleasant. But both of those found out they had lung cancer at stage four. So there's nothing that could be done. At least with this it gives you a fighting chance."
During the check, current smokers will also be offered advice to support them to stop smoking should they wish to, and the Lung Health Check team will also be available to answer any questions people might have.
Scan results are analysed by specialist clinicians and participants receive their results in approximately four weeks. If further follow up is needed, participants are referred by the service to their GP or hospital.