Screening

What is Lung Cancer Screening?

Lung Cancer Screening (formerly known as Targeted Lung Health Checks) is a screening programme for people aged between 55 and 74 who have ever smoked.

The programme targets those most at risk of lung cancer and contributes to the ambition of the NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to improve early diagnosis and survival for those diagnosed with cancer.

In 2023, the Government announced that Lung Cancer Screening was to become a national screening programme which aims to cover all areas of England by 2030. Read the announcement here.  

Why is Lung Cancer Screening important?

Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK. There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.

Lung Cancer Screening aims to find lung cancer early, sometimes before you have symptoms.

The check looks at how well your lungs are working and can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can make lung cancer more treatable and make treatment more successful.

Who is eligible for Lung Cancer Screening?

You can get invited for a check if:

• You live where they offer lung health checks.
• You're aged between 55 and 74.
• You're registered with a GP that's part of the pilot.
• You're a smoker or used to be one.

If you fit these criteria, your GP or local NHS service will send you a letter or call you to book an appointment. 

If you're not sure the GP knows that you currently smoke, or have smoked in the past, contact the GP surgery and ask them to update your record. This will make sure you are invited for a lung health check in the future.

What happens at my Lung Cancer Screening appointment?

Your appointment may be in person, by phone, or online.

A health professional will ask about your health and lifestyle to find out more about your risk of lung cancer.

This includes questions about your breathing, lifestyle, and family and medical history. They will also take your height and weight measurements.

At the end of the lung health check, one of the following things will happen:

• No further action – if the lung health check suggests you are not at higher risk of developing lung cancer, then no further action is needed. However, you may be invited to be re-assessed in the future as your risk score could change.

• Offered a CT scan of your lungs – if the lung health check finds you're at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, you may be invited for a low dose CT scan to take a detailed picture of your lungs. Your appointment will last about 30 minutes. The CT scan itself will only take a few minutes and does not hurt.

After the scan, you should receive your results within four weeks regarding your outcome. Your GP will also be contacted with the results of your scan.

Where is Lung Cancer Screening currently offered in the West Midlands?

Currently within the West Midlands, we have 6 live Lung Cancer Screening services within Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham & Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley and Coventry & Rugby and North Warwickshire and Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. Please use the links below to find out further information regarding these local services.

• Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent
• Birmingham & Solihull
• Coventry & Warwickshire
• Sandwell
• Dudley
• Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

Why isn’t Lung Cancer Screening available everywhere?

The programme is being roll-out in stages, with the aim of having full access to all of the West Midlands by March 2029. Please see below indicated rollout for the remaining areas:

• Herefordshire - 2025/26
• Wolverhampton and Walsall – 2026/27
• South Warwickshire – 2026/27
• Worcestershire - 2026/27

See a GP if you're worried about symptoms of lung cancer, such as:

• a cough that does not go away after 3 weeks
• an existing cough that changes or gets worse
• chest infections that keep coming back
• coughing up blood
• being short of breath a lot
• unexplained tiredness
• an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

Do not wait for a lung health check if you have any of these symptoms.

Dr Apurna Jegganathan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Chair of WMCA's Lung Expert Advisory Group, talks to GP Dr Theresa Earl, GP Cancer Lead for Birmingham and Solihull ICB.

They explore the foundations of the Lung Cancer Screening programme; why it exists, who is eligible, how the screening process works, and what it means for Primary Care teams. It sets the scene for understanding the programme’s purpose and the role Primary Care plays in early detection.

You can see another part of this conversation on our Lung Cancer Expert Advisory Group page. This part explores the impact of screening on secondary care.