Thousands Invited For Free Lung Cancer Screenings in Scarborough

Past and current smokers aged between 55 and 74 are receiving invitations for free lung cancer screening appointments this summer to help identify respiratory diseases early.

Free lung cancer screening appointments will be offered to thousands of people this summer in a bid to catch respiratory diseases early.

Vital health checks will soon be available for past and current smokers aged between 55 and 74, who will receive a letter from their general practitioner.

The written invitations will prompt patients to book a telephone assessment with a dedicated lung cancer screening nurse.

Early identification of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases is the primary goal of the life-saving programme. Medical professionals note that catching these conditions before any symptoms occur means that subsequent treatments could be far more successful.

The screening initiative is already well established and has a track record of diagnosing conditions across Humber and North Yorkshire.

Ian Crawford, the Lung Cancer Screening Programme Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire, highlighted the scale and success of the ongoing diagnostic work.

He said:

"It's a proven program that's already helping diagnose lung cancers earlier across other parts of Humber and North Yorkshire. The good thing about the screening program is it aims to detect lung cancer at the early stage when there are more treatment options. In the last year, the program's diagnosed 125 cancers and 532 cancers since the program began, but it's been going since 2020. We've sent out over around 125,000 invites, so it's a very small percentage of people who have lung cancer, but for some people, it obviously could save their life."

A delayed appearance of symptoms often makes lung cancer particularly difficult to treat effectively. Identifying the disease at an earlier stage opens up a wider range of medical interventions for the patient, drastically improving their chances of a positive outcome.

The screening process is designed to offer peace of mind to the vast majority of patients, while providing critical early intervention for the small percentage who do require medical help.

Mr Crawford urged those who receive a letter from their doctor to ensure they act on the invitation and book their telephone assessment.

He said:

"Unfortunately, with lung cancer, the symptoms often present at a late stage when treatment options are limited. So, yeah, the aim of the screening program is to detect the early signs of lung cancer at the stage where there's more treatment options for the patient and the outcome for the patient is is more likely to be better. I guess my message to any patients that receive an invite is simple. If you're invited for a lung cancer screening assessment, please take up the offer and it could provide reassurance and for some people it could save their life."

Eligible people will receive a letter from their local lung cancer screening service inviting them to book a telephone assessment with a lung cancer screening nurse. The assessment takes no longer than 20 minutes to complete and can take place at a time most convenient to you. 

Following the telephone assessment, participants may be invited for a low-dose CT scan onboard a mobile unit situated at Scarborough Hospital. 

Dr Stuart Baugh, Programme Director for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme, said:

“We are delighted to be expanding our North Yorkshire lung cancer screening service to now include eligible people in Scarborough, following the successful introduction of lung cancer screening in Selby in January. 

“If you receive a letter inviting you to book a lung cancer screening appointment – please book your appointment right away. The 20-minute assessment could save your life by detecting lung cancer and other respiratory diseases earlier – when treatment can be simpler and more successful.” 

Ash Nicholls, Lung Cancer Screening Programme Manager, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We’re pleased to offer NHS lung cancer screening checks in Scarborough.  

“The NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme plays an important role in the early detection of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. It offers real hope and reassurance, particularly for those most at risk. It’s a vital step in improving outcomes and saving lives in our community.”  

The Humber and North Yorkshire NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme, formerly known as the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme, launched in Hull in 2020.  

Since then, the service has been rolled out across North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire.  

Find out more about the NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme in Humber and North Yorkshire by visiting the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance website.