Lung Cancer Screening

Lung Cancer Screening is now available to eligible patients in areas across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. People aged between 55 and 74 years who smoke or used to smoke and have a registered GP will be invited by letter to have free NHS Lung Cancer Screening.

Lungcancerscreening

What is Lung Cancer Screening?

Lung Cancer Screening​​​​​​​ is completely free.

It is a two-part process in which the health of your lungs is assessed:

Part one is a Lung Health Check over the phone with a specialist respiratory nurse to discuss your chances of developing lung cancer. This should last approximately 20-30 minutes, but if you need more time or any other reasonable adjustments, please tell our provider Xyla by calling 0330 2368484 or clicking here to send an email. 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. You do not need to do a breathing test; the nurse can get all the information they need from the questions. You will have plenty of time to talk to the nurse and ask any questions you may have.

If you are identified as someone who has a higher chance of developing lung cancer, you’ll be invited to have a low-dose CT scan, which is part two of Lung Cancer Screening. This is to check for early signs of lung cancer as well as other lung diseases. If you are invited to have a low-dose CT scan, this will take place in a mobile unit at various locations across your area. The CT scan lasts only a couple of minutes and takes a detailed image of your chest for us to review. If a problem is found, you’ll be referred on for treatment.

 

What to expect at a lung cancer screening appointment?

Why is it important to look after your lungs?

Your lungs work hard every day so you can breathe and they don’t get much rest. They carry oxygen from the air into your blood and release carbon dioxide from your blood into the air. Your body’s cells need this oxygen to work properly. Your lungs have a natural defence system to keep out dirt and germs, but several things can damage this, meaning they can’t do their job as well.

There are lots of things that you can do to look after your lungs, which are just as important if you already have a lung condition, including:

  • being more active
  • eating a balanced diet
  • stopping smoking
  • making sure you have all your vaccinations if you are over 65-years old or have a long-term condition
  • knowing the signs and symptoms of lung conditions, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and lung cancer

It’s also important to know your body and what is normal for you to be able to spot when things might not be quite right. A persistent cough can be an early warning sign of lung disease. Other symptoms to look out for are:

  • feeling more breathless
  • wheezing
  • losing weight
  • coughing up blood
  • noticing chest pain

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is very important that you don’t ignore or dismiss them; please go and speak with your GP.