Hundreds of cancers caught early across region through NHS lung checks

NHS chiefs say hundreds of people in the South West have been diagnosed with cancer earlier thanks to life-saving lung health checks.

The checks involve mobile scanning trucks visiting communities, and their work means patients can begin treatment when the chances of success are highest.

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme is the biggest drive in NHS history improve early cancer diagnosis, and is specifically targeted at current and past smokers in areas of the country with the highest rates of lung cancer. 

The latest NHS data shows that in the South West 388 lung cancers have now been found through the programme since it launched in the region in 2022. 

Nationally, the NHS data reveals that across England 5,037 cancers have been diagnosed since the initiative began in 2019. 

Data for England also shows that more than three-quarters (76 percent) of the lung cancers identified by the programme were found at the earliest stages of one and two, when it is potentially curable.

People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stages are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.

Using a mix of hospital services and roving scanning trucks that visit convenient community sites, such as supermarket carparks, sports stadiums and town centres, in-depth lung health checks are carried out for current and past smokers.

Dr Michael Marsh, Medical Director, NHS England South West, said: “It’s really pleasing to see that the South West region’s inclusion in the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme has helped diagnose hundreds of people in our community with lung cancer earlier, potentially saving their lives.

“It’s a testament to the commitment of our SWAG Cancer Alliance, Peninsula Cancer Alliance, Wessex Cancer Alliance and the partners they have teamed up with that hundreds of people have been diagnosed with cancer earlier and also that thousands more people have been checked, which for many would have provided them with reassurance.” 

In the past two years the SWAG and Peninsula Cancer Alliances have carried out a combined total of 85,460 lung health checks. 

Wessex Cancer Alliance has already carried out 3,982 lung health checks across Dorset after launching the programme last year (2023).

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS cancer director, said: “These lung checks can save lives, so it’s fantastic that the NHS has been able to diagnose thousands of people at an early stage when lung cancer is potentially curable.

“The targeted lung health check programme is a new model of care with a community focus, making it easier for people to come forward in a way that works for them, whether in a supermarket car park or a sports stadium.  

"It has been amazing to see the response, and initiatives like this will make a big difference in improving cancer survival for people throughout the country.”

NHS data shows that nationally there was a 7.4 percent improvement in lung cancer early diagnosis rates by the NHS last year (April 2023 to March 2024) compared to the period before Covid-19 (March 2019 to February 2020).

Lung cancer is the third commonest type of cancer in the UK, with 72 percent of cases caused by smoking, leading to around 35,000 deaths each year. 

Among the symptoms of lung cancer are a long-standing cough that gets worse, coughing up blood, persistent breathlessness, continuing tiredness or lack of energy, and an unexplained loss of weight or appetite.

The UK National Screening Committee and Government announced the Targeted Lung health Check programme should be fully rolled out across the country by 2030.