Smokers and ex-smokers in Lancashire invited for CT scans
Early stages show the new NHS scheme has seen an increase in early cancer diagnosis
Hundreds of people have been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier through NHS mobile trucks, which have already been spotted in Blackpool and Blackburn, where smoking rates are highest across Lancashire.
600 people have been diagnosed earlier as part of the biggest programme to improve early lung cancer diagnosis in health service history.
The community initiative, part of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, has seen more than three quarters (77%) of cancers caught at either stage one or two, giving patients a much better chance of beating the illness. This compares to less than a third of cancers caught at either stage one or two in 2018.
People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS clinical director for cancer said:
“Lung cancer can often be hard to detect at an early stage and so these checks, close to people’s homes, show how the NHS is taking action to find more people with cancer.
“Lives are saved when cancers are caught early and when more people are referred for tests, which is why the NHS has put so much effort into early diagnosis in recent years.
“We know that some people had concerns seeking help during the pandemic but if you do have a worrying symptom or have been coughing for three weeks or more, please do contact your GP and get checked out.”
Current and ex-smokers aged between 55 and 74 are invited to speak to a healthcare professional and, if they have a higher chance of developing lung cancer, are offered a scan of their lungs.
If anyone has symptoms of lung cancer, they should visit their GP straight away and not wait for a lung health check.