A lung health check programme that is saving lives every day, has reached a new milestone.

Over 80,000 lung health checks have been completed across Wessex, since the programme was first launched in January 2020. These checks are helping to find cancer at the earliest stage, often before someone is experiencing any symptoms.

The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is available in parts of Dorset and Hampshire, inviting people aged 55 to 74 who are current or ex-smokers, for a lung health check as part of the National Screening Programme.

Eligible patients will receive an invitation letter for an appointment called a ‘lung health check’, where they will discuss their lung health and smoking history, and determine eligibility for a low-dose CT scan.

If the scan identifies something for further investigation, they will be referred on for more tests (whether it is cancer or non-cancer).

Matthew Hayes, Medical Director at Wessex Cancer Alliance says

“The Lung Cancer Screening programme goes from strength to strength, detecting cancer earlier and saving lives. I am excited to see such progress and proud that our cancer teams have been part of this innovative development which has already changed the lives of many for the better”.

If you or someone you know receives a letter inviting them to take part in the Lung Cancer Screening programme, do encourage them to take up the offer of the screening programme. The Lung Health Check can be conducted over the telephone.

Clive and his partner were invited for a Lung Health Check and he tells us that these checks might have saved his life;

“We were offered the chance of having scans done, because we were ex-smokers….last year when I had my scan done, they found a nodule in my right lung….

…I am now in a position where I have a future.”

Nationally, more than two million people across the country have now been invited for a free check, with three-quarters of lung cancers detected early.

The lung health checks can spot the signs of lung cancer before a person has developed symptoms. If someone has the symptoms below, they should seek the advice of their GP as soon as possible:

• a cough that does not go away after three weeks or a long-standing cough that gets worse
• coughing up blood
• an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• persistent breathlessness
• loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

The checks also help find other undiagnosed respiratory conditions, which means that patients can access treatment quicker.

Click here for more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Programme.