About the lung health check service

The targeted lung health check service is available to eligible patients across Wessex.

Information for patients can be found on our Cancer Matters Wessex website.

Targeted Lung Health Checks went live in 2020, with the aim being to detect lung cancer at an early stage. They are currently available to patients in Southampton, Portsmouth and Portland.

Some key facts from the programme to date:

• 22,704 patients have been invited for a lung health check
• 6817 patients have accepted this invite

To date, 109 lung cancers have identified, of these 74% have been identified at stage 1, which is a tremendous achievement for the programme.  Not only have lung cancers been found at early stage, but there has been positive feedback from participants.

About TLHC

People aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers will be invited to have a lung health check. You will be invited even if you feel fit and healthy and you currently have no lung problems, or if you currently have a lung condition.

Lung health checks are a really important check-up of the overall health of your lungs and can spot any early signs of lung problems. The checks are designed to spot any signs of lung problems early – often before you notice anything is wrong. If lung cancer, or another problem with your breathing or lungs is found early, treatment could be simpler and more successful.

What will happen at my lung health check?
The lung health check service is being run by specially trained nurses.

Your lung health check will usually be a telephone or video consultation appointment. The nurse will ask you some questions about your breathing and overall lung health. They will also ask you about your lifestyle, family and medical history.

The nurse may also talk to you about having a lung scan. If you are invited to a lung scan, you will be asked to travel to the appointment.

You and your GP will be contacted with the results of the lung health check, and any follow up advice.

How do I book my appointment?
If you are eligible for a lung health check, look out for a letter coming in the post inviting you to book your appointment.

I’m not eligible for a lung health check, how can I look after my lung health?
At present lung health checks are being offered to 55 -74 year old smokers or former smokers who are registered with a GP practice in Southampton, Portsmouth or Portland.

If you aren’t eligible for a lung health check, it is still really important to look after your lungs by being active, stopping smoking, eating healthily and telling your GP about any of the following symptoms that are unusual to you, such as:

• a persistent cough or change in your normal cough
• coughing up blood
• being short of breath
• unexplained tiredness or weight loss
• an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• appetite loss

For more information visit Cancer Matters Wessex website, which includes links to the local hospitals running the lungs health checks.