Lung Cancer Screening Programme
The Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) programme aims to find lung cancer early, sometimes before someone has symptoms.
Approximately three quarters of people who have been diagnosed with lung cancer through the programme have been caught at an early stage (stages I or II) when lung cancer is easier to treat with curative intent. Without early invention, currently less than third of lung cancers are caught at early stage.
Patients registered at the practice who are aged 55-74 and have a history of smoking on their medical record will soon be offered lung cancer screening.
The Lung Cancer Screening programme is operated by NHS England and is contributing to the NHS Long Term Plan to improve early diagnosis and survival for those diagnosed with cancer.
The Lung Cancer Screening programme targets those most at risk of lung cancer and works with Integrated Care Boards, who have some of the highest rates of mortality from lung cancer.
Benefits to Patients
- LCS helps us to get ahead of lung cancer, sometimes before symptoms start.
- People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.
- People diagnosed with early-stage disease may also benefit from less invasive treatments, such as keyhole surgery. Many people diagnosed through the programme do not need additional treatment, such as chemotherapy.
- Patients who are still smoking are offered smoking cessation advice at appointment, whilst all participants are given advice on how else they can improve their overall lung health.
The Lung Cancer Screening programme website
Home – Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
Patient-FAQs-Lung Cancer Screening
Information on the NHS Website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer-screening/