Lung Health Checks

Currently, lung health checks are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked.

Lung health checks are proven to be beneficial in medical research in this age group. Below this age we do not have enough evidence that we can achieve definite benefit. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung health checks are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked.

Lung health checks are proven to be beneficial in medical research in this age group. Above this age we do not have enough evidence that we can achieve definite benefit. The main concern is that the risks from treatment and other medical conditions begin to outweigh the benefits of screening from 75 years and over.

However, anyone can get lung cancer, so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung health checks are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked.

This is because they are at a higher risk of lung disease or lung cancer than people who have never smoked. This is based on medical research. Research to show benefits in other settings, such as those who have never smoked, have smoked low amounts, or who have experienced passive smoking, is not yet available. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung health checks are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked.

This is because they are at a higher risk of lung disease or lung cancer than people who have never smoked. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung health checks are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. At the lung health check, people who are found to have a higher risk of lung cancer will be offered a low dose CT scan. Medical research has shown us that people who meet this risk threshold are most likely to benefit from a CT scan, because lung cancer may be found early. For people who do not meet the risk threshold, we do not have enough evidence that they will benefit, compared to the potential harms of having a CT scan. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have symptoms that are worrying you, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung health checks are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked.

This is because they are at a higher risk of getting lung cancer. There is currently no proof from medical research that an inherited risk of cancer alone can reliably inform who is more at risk of having lung cancer. Smoking history is proven to be the best measure for identifying who should have a lung check because former/current smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer. However, we do take family history into account in the lung health check risk assessment.

Well done for successfully quitting smoking. In doing so, you have reduced your risk of getting lung cancer. However, you still have a higher risk of lung cancer than someone who has never smoked, so you should still go for the check.

It’s completely understandable that you might be a little nervous about having a lung health check but it is really important that you go. You can request that someone comes with you to the appointment, such as a family member or friend. Chances are everything will be okay but if it is lung cancer, catching it early can make all the difference.

Your appointment may be in person, by phone, or online. A health professional will ask about your health and lifestyle to find out more about your risk of developing lung cancer. If the lung health check finds you’re at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, you my be invited for a low dose CT scan. This is very common and is not necessarily a cause for concern. Your CT scan will be done in either a local hospital or in a mobile CT unit within the community. The lung health check team will write to you and your GP with details of your results.

A CT scan takes a detailed picture of your lungs and checks for any signs of lung cancer or lung disease. During the scan, the bed moves in and out of the scanner. Your head and legs stay outside of the scanner and you do not go into an enclosed space. The scan is done in either a mobile scanning unit in your local area, or at a local hospital, to make it as easy as possible for you to get to. It only takes a few minutes and does not hurt. You can also bring a friend or relative with you for support.

You will receive a letter or a call with your results within 4 weeks of the CT scan. This will tell you what happens next, if the scan shows anything concerning, you may be referred for further lung scans or treatment. Around 15 out of every 100 people screened have nodules on their lungs. Most nodules are harmless and caused by something else like scarring from a previous chest infection. Around 1 in 100 people who go for a CT scan are diagnosed with lung cancer. If the scan shows nothing of concern, you will be invited back for another scan every two years until you are 75.