Lung cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the UK. About 49,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful.
Lung cancer screening aims to find lung cancer early.
WHO?
Lung screening is available to people aged between 55 and 74 who have ever smoked.
You must be registered with a GP in an area where screening is available, and your GP records must show that you are a current or former smoker.
The screening programme is for people with no symptoms. If you have symptoms of lung cancer you must contact your GP directly.
WHY?
Lung cancer is often diagnosed later than other cancers because there aren’t always signs or symptoms at an early stage.
Screening can help to identify cancer earlier than it would have been without screening.
It does not prevent you from getting lung cancer, but the earlier the condition is found the more likely that treatment will be successful.
HOW?
If you are registered as a current or former smoker on your GP records, you will receive a letter inviting you for a ‘lung health check’.
At the lung health check, you will be asked some questions about your breathing, overall lung health, lifestyle and family and medical history.
Some measurements might be taken, including your height and weight.
After the health check, you might be referred for further tests (see WHAT NEXT? below).
WHEN?
If you:
- are registered with a GP
- are aged between 55 and 74
- have ever smoked
you will receive a letter inviting you for a lung screening appointment every two years.
WHERE?
Currently screening is available for people registered with a GP in:
- Alton
- Andover
- Basingstoke
- Bournemouth
- Eastleigh
- Fareham
- Gosport
- New Forest
- Poole
- Portland
- Portsmouth
- Romsey & North Baddesley
- Southampton
- Southsea
- Totton
- Weymouth
- Winchester
See the “lung screening in your area” section further down this page for more details.
Areas still due to launch: Bordon, Havant, Leigh Park, Isle of Wight.
WHAT NEXT?
There are two possible results from your lung health check:
No problems found – the nurse may find nothing further to investigate. You will be invited back for another lung health check in two years.
Offered a scan of your lungs – whether you are offered a lung scan will depend on your chance of getting lung cancer now or in the future. We work out your risk from your lifestyle, medical and family history. The nurse will help you to choose whether the test is right for you. We will write to your GP so they know about the appointment.
Clive and his partner were invited for a Lung Health Check and it might have saved his life….watch Clive share his story.
Useful Links
Having a CT Scan
After your first lung screening appointment, you might be referred for a CT scan. This will be arranged for another day. When you are invited for your appointment, you will be told where you need to go.
The lung cancer scan uses a low-dose CT scanner to take a detailed picture of your lungs, to check for the early signs of lung cancer.
The appointment will last approximately 30 minutes and you’ll have a chance to ask the nurse any questions.
If your scan results come back with signs of anything concerning, you’ll be contacted with further information and referred for further tests and treatment.
To read more about having a CT scan, you can visit the Macmillan Cancer Support website:
Lung cancer screening in your area
Areas covered: Southampton, New Forest, Totton, Hedge/West End, Romsey
CT scan location: Lymington Hospital; Royal South Hants Hospital (Car Park E)
Email: LCSops@uhs.nhs.uk
Phone number: 023 8120 8883
Areas covered: Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth, Southsea
CT scan location: ASDA Car Park, Fareham; Rodney Road Community Centre, Portsmouth
Email: tlhcportsmouth@porthosp.nhs.uk
Phone number: 0239 338 2625
Areas covered: Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Winchester
CT scan locations: Andover Community Hospital; Basingstoke Hospital; Winchester Hospital
Email: lcs@hhft.nhs.uk
Phone number: 0800 098 2945
Areas covered: Blandford, Bournemouth, Poole, Portland, Purbeck, Sherborne, Weymouth
CT scan locations: Dorchester Hospital; Weymouth Community Hospital; Poole Hospital; Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Email: lcsadmin@dchft.nhs.uk
Phone number: 01305 255589