Targeted lung health check
Lung cancer is frequently diagnosed at a later stage than other cancers because there are often no signs or symptoms at an early stage. The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme is designed to identify signs of lung cancer at an early stage when it is much more treatable – ultimately saving more lives.
A Lung Heath Check finds out how well your lungs are working and hopes to identify problems early. Most of the time, no issue is found, but if cancer or an issue with your breathing or lungs is found early, treatment could be more straightforward and successful.
Lung Health Checks are being offered to people living in Tees Valley who are aged 55-74 and are current or former smokers, because they are at greater risk of developing lung cancer. Those people eligible will be sent a letter to invite them for a Lung Health Check. Invites will be sent to all the eligible patients within a GP Practice at the same time.
What happens during the check?
There are two main stages to a Targeted Lung Health Check. The first is an initial telephone appointment with a Health Care Advisor. The second, if necessary, is a face-to-face appointment with a nurse and then, if needed, a simple scan of the lungs.
Initial assessment:
- If you are eligible, you will receive a letter inviting you for an initial Lung Health Check with a Health Care Advisor when other patients from your practice are invited. This will take place over the phone.
- During the telephone call, you will be asked some questions about your breathing, overall lung health, lifestyle, and family and medical history.
- You will be asked your height and weight.
- If you smoke, you will be offered the chance to speak to a stop smoking advisor.
- There are two possible results from your Lung Health Check:
- No problems found– the Health Care Advisor may find nothing further to investigate and will discharge you from the Lung Health Check Programme. We will write to your GP to tell them this.
- Offered a face-to-face appointment with a nurse – you may be offered an appointment with a nurse to discuss the answers from your Lung Health Check further. You may be offered a lung scan after you see the nurse.
Lung scan:
Whether you are offered a lung scan will depend on your chance of getting lung cancer now or in the future. We work this out from your lifestyle, medical and family history. The nurse will help you to decide whether the scan is right for you. We will write to your GP, so they know about the appointment.
- The lung cancer scan uses a low-dose CT scanner to take a detailed picture of your lungs, to check for the early signs of lung cancer.
- The appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.
- If your scan results come back with signs of anything concerning, you’ll be contacted with further information and referred for further tests and treatment.
- The lung scan is on a mobile truck and will take place in a community location, such as a supermarket carpark or a leisure centre carpark.
For more information on the targeted lung health check programme please contact:
Email: tv.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net
Phone: 01642 045566
