More than 5,000 people in England have received earlier lung cancer diagnoses thanks to an innovative NHS initiative. Across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire alone, over 55,000 lung cancer screening checks have now been completed helping to save lives through earlier detection.

The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is the largest initiative of its kind in NHS history, focusing on communities with the highest rates of lung cancer.

Since its launch in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in 2021, the programme has identified 350 cases of lung cancer, with an impressive 71% diagnosed at an early stage (Stage 1 or 2) when the disease is potentially curable. This contrasts with cases found after symptoms develop, when fewer than 30% of lung cancers are diagnosed early.

To make screening more accessible, mobile scanning units visit convenient community locations such as supermarket car parks and town centres. Current and former smokers are invited to take part in a short telephone assessment, and those at higher risk are offered a CT scan on-site.

Bev, 62, from Nottingham, credits the programme with saving her life: “It was a complete shock, I had no symptoms and truly believed I was perfectly fine. I began smoking at 16, and my mother passed away from lung cancer seven years ago. When I received the news about my diagnosis, my thoughts spiralled into a dark place. Even now, it's hard to comprehend, everything happened so quickly.

“Without the unwavering support of my best friend Melanie, who has been my rock during this time, I might not be here to see my daughter and granddaughter grow up. Melanie noticed I had received a letter for lung cancer screening, which I had carelessly set aside. She took charge and urged me to call for my telephone assessment, I was invited for a CT scan at a mobile unit located in my local supermarket car park. I got my results just four days after my CT scan, and then my surgery followed just ten days later, it just goes to show how quickly life can change in a matter of weeks.

“Initially, the Consultant mentioned that further treatment might be necessary post-surgery. However, believe it or not, just four weeks after my operation, I returned to work without any additional treatment only a follow-up x-ray over the next five years is needed, this was well worth celebrating!”.

Emma O’ Dowd, Respiratory Consultant said: “We’re delighted to continue driving this forward and enabling thousands of people to benefit from Lung Cancer Screening. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re encouraging everyone eligible to take up the opportunity for a free lung health check. Lung Cancer Screening helps to identify any issues early and before you may get any symptoms and catching lung cancer early can save lives.”

Under the programme, current and former smokers aged between 55 and 74 are invited to speak with a nurse or healthcare professional about their lung health. If they are at higher risk of developing lung cancer, they are offered a Computerised Tomography (CT) scan of their lungs at a mobile screening unit.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, causing around 35,000 deaths each year. Smoking is responsible for around 72% of cases.

Common symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A cough that lasts three weeks or gets worse
• Coughing up blood
• Persistent breathlessness
• Ongoing tiredness or lack of energy
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their GP straight away, even if they have already taken part in a screening check.

Find out more about the Lung Cancer Screening programme in the East Midlands here​.