Targeted Lung Health Checks
In January 2020 the NHS launched a pilot screening programme to detect lung cancer at an earlier stage. This was part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve cancer diagnosis to 75% stage one and two by 2028.
Southampton City was one of 14 areas chosen for the pilot. Southampton was identified as a key area due to a variety of factors:
- High rates of current or former smokers
- Prevalence of lung cancer
- Area of deprivation
The pilot was targeted at people between the ages of 55 and 75 years old who had ever smoked and were registered with a GP in the Southampton area.
Participants who met the criteria, and were registered as a current or former smoker on their GP records, were invited to a lung health check assessment. This took place either virtually or in person and assessed each person’s eligibility for a low-dose CT scan (LDCT).
Those who proceeded to LDCT were invited to have their scan at either Southampton General Hospital or a mobile CT van located at Royal South Hants. To deliver the service closer to the community, the mobile unit was located at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Woolston for a short time.
Of the lung cancers identified most were detected at an early stage, enabling earlier access to life saving treatment and care.
In June 2023 the government announced that lung health checks would become the fourth national cancer screening programme following a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee.
In February 2025 the programme was rebranded as Lung Cancer Screening.
For more information visit:
Cancer Matters Wessex – lung cancer screening for the public
Primary Care Toolkit – cancer screening information for primary care staff
