Smokers are having lung cancer detected and treated earlier through an NHS programme running in Cornwall.

More than 20,000 current and former smokers have been invited for a lung health check, as part of the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme.

The Peninsula Cancer Alliance launched the programme as part of a national pilot last August inviting anyone who has ever smoked between the ages of 55 and 74 years.

Today (Wednesday 26 July) – less than a year since the programme launched – the team will mark a milestone when the 6,000^th person attends their scan.

The scans aim to pick up small lung tumours before they start to cause symptoms as lung cancers detected at an early stage can be treated and cured.

Most tumours diagnosed within the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme will be surgically removed or treated with radiotherapy.

During the lung health checks 45 lung cancers have been detected of which 75% were at an early stage.

Cyrus Daneshvar, of the Peninsula Cancer Alliance and consultant in respiratory medicine at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: “The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme is saving lives. Many people do not develop symptoms from lung cancer until much later in the disease, and even then some may remain symptom free even in the later stages.

“If you are invited for a lung health check I would encourage you to take up the offer. Most people reflect that the screening experience is straightforward, and the staff are extremely helpful. If you have a partner or relative who is invited, then encourage them to attend as it can be lifesaving for those we do detect an early cancer.”

For some smokers attending a lung check has also been what they’ve needed to help them to quit their nicotine habit.

With support from Cornwall Council’s Healthy Cornwall Home – Healthy Cornwall smoking cessation team 83 smokers who attended the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, have successfully quit four weeks into the course.

Part of the NHS’ Long-Term Plan, the programme is one of a number of initiatives introduced to help the NHS achieve its goal of diagnosing three in four cancers (75%) at an early stage by 2028. Since the start of the Lung Health Check programme in 2019, 87% of lung cancers found have been at stage 1 or stage 2.

The Cornwall initiative is part of the phase 3 national rollout. A targeted 46,000 individuals living across the area who are aged 55 to 74 and smoke, or have smoked in the past, will be invited to a lung health check. Lung health checks can be thought of as MOTs for your lungs, to understand how well they are functioning.

Those invited will have an initial phone assessment to understand their risk of developing lung cancer. Based on this assessment, some people will be offered a face-to-face appointment and low dose CT scan of the lungs, whilst others will receive personalised health advice and support around improving their lung health. All current smokers will have a discussion with a smoking cessation professional and be offered a referral to local services for onward support.