Home > Our work > Healthier communities > Cancer > Lung Cancer Screening (formerly Targeted Lung Health Checks)

Lung Cancer Screening (formerly Targeted Lung Health Checks)


Lung cancer is frequently diagnosed later than other cancers because often there are no signs or symptoms at an early stage. The Lung Cancer Screening Programme (formerly called Targeted Lung Health Check Programme) is a NHS programme which is being rolled out across England and will become a national screening programme in 2029/30. The programme is designed to identify signs of cancer at an early stage when it is much more treatable – ultimately saving lives.  

In Norfolk and Waveney, the programme started in 2022 in Great Yarmouth & Gorleston as a pilot and was extended to Lowestoft in 2023. Planning is well advanced on a new programme which will start in the summer of 2025 to gradually roll Lung Cancer Screening out to the rest of Norfolk and Waveney. 

The Lung Cancer Screening programme is being offered to people between the ages of 55 and 74 who are current or former smokers and therefore at greater risk of lung cancer.  It is designed to find out how well someone’s lungs are working and to identify problems early. Most of the time no issue is found, but if cancer or an issue with a participant’s breathing or lungs is found early, treatment could be simpler and more successful.  

Individuals who are eligible for Lung Cancer Screening will be contacted by the NHS or our partner organisation TIC Mobile initially for a lung health check. The invitation will be based on your smoking history in your GP record so if you think this might be out of date, let your GP know so they can update your record.  

If you would like more information about the local roll out and when you might receive an invite, please go to the East of England Lung Cancer Screening website: https://eoelungcancerscreening.nhs.uk/.  

CT staff Joseph Okunyemiju and Sara Marques at the James Paget Hospital.

What happens during the check? 

There are two main stages to a Lung Cancer Screening. The first is an initial assessment with a health professional and the second, if necessary, is a simple scan of the lungs.  

The initial assessment normally takes place over the phone and/or a meeting with a health professional.  During the initial Lung Health Check, you will be asked some questions about your smoking history, your overall lung health, lifestyle and family and medical history. An assessment will be made at this appointment of your risk of Lung Cancer based on your answers. 

There are three possible results from your lung health check:  

No problems found – the health professional may find nothing further to investigate, and you will be discharged from the Lung Cancer Screening programme. The team will write to your GP to tell them this.  You may be re-invited in the future if something changes that might change your risk of Lung Cancer. 

Referral to your GP – if problems with your breathing or lung health are found, you may be referred to your GP. The Lung Cancer Screening team will write to your GP so they know about the outcome.  

Offered a scan of your lungs – If you are assessed to be at higher risk of lung cancer now or in the future you will be offered a scan of your lungs (a Low Dose CT scan). The specialist nurse will help you to choose whether the test is right for you. We will write to your GP so they know about the appointment.  

Lung scan

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 15 – 20 minutes and you’ll have a chance to ask the team at the scanner any questions. The scan is completely painless and you will only be on the scanner for a few minutes. 

If your scan results come back with signs of anything of concern, you’ll be contacted with further information and referred for further tests and treatment if needed.  

The lung scan will take place at the James Paget Hospital for Great Yarmouth/Gorleston/Lowestoft and on a mobile scanner for the rest of Norfolk & Waveney. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. What is a Lung Cancer Screening?

    Q. What is a Lung Cancer Screening?

    A. The lung health check takes part in two stages. The first is a telephone appointment with a specially trained healthcare professional to assess your risk level. If you are found to be at a higher risk of having lung cancer you will be invited to have a low dose CT scan (lung scan) so we can capture an image of your lungs and identify if there are any issues which need further investigation or treatment.

  • Q. Where will lung health checks take place?

    Q. Where will lung health checks take place?

    A. The first phase will normally be carried out via phone call and/or a meeting with a health professional. If you are invited to have a CT scan these will be carried out by at the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth if you are registered with a GP in Great Yarmouth/ Gorleston and Lowestoft.  If you are registered with a GP in the rest of Norfolk and Waveney this is likely to be on a mobile unit.  

  • Q. What happens after a lung health check?

    Q. What happens after a lung health check?

    A. Should anything be identified either during the Lung Health check or from the CT scan, then you will be contacted by telephone or letter with the next steps. If you have any questions you can speak to the Lung Health Check team.

  • Q. Why is the Lung Cancer Screening only being offered to smokers/past smokers in a certain age range?

    Q. Why is the Lung Cancer Screening only being offered to smokers/past smokers in a certain age range?

    A. The Lung Cancer Screening is currently being offered to those most at risk of getting lung cancer. Data shows individuals between the age of 55 and 74 who currently or previously smoked are at a higher risk than others of getting lung cancer.

    If you display any symptoms of lung cancer (see symptoms below) or have any concerns about your lung health you should book an appointment to see your GP straight away. Don’t wait to be invited to a Lung Health Check.

  • Q. Why isn’t it available in my area?

    Q. Why isn’t it available in my area?

    A. The Lung Cancer Screening is being rolled out across England. The areas with higher lung cancer mortality rates are being prioritised first and new locations will be available soon.

    If you are worried about any of the below symptoms, please don’t wait for your appointment and see your GP as soon as possible:  

    • A persistent cough or change in your normal cough
    • Coughing up blood
    • Being short of breath
    • Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
    • An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
    • Appetite loss 

Booking your check

Individuals who are eligible for Lung Cancer Screening you will be contacted by the NHS or our partner organisation TIC Mobile initially for a lung health check. The invitation will be based on your smoking history in your GP record so if you think this might be out of date, let your GP know so they can update your record.  

If you have been invited for a check and need to contact the team, please use the contact details in your invite or go to the East of England Lung Cancer Screening webpages for the most up to date contact details for your area: https://eoelungcancerscreening.nhs.uk/.

Support to stop smoking

Smokefree Norfolk provides stop smoking information and support for people living in Norfolk.

Telephone: 0800 0854 113 (Mon-Fri) 
Email: smokefree.norfolk@nhs.net 
Website: Home | Smokefree Norfolk  
Sign up online: Get Started | Smokefree Norfolk  

Feel Good Suffolk is a new way to support people in Suffolk to improve their health and wellbeing. It is a new service offering Stop smoking services to residents in the Lowestoft area.  

To find out more please visit their website: www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk 
To access support follow this link to the self-referral form: Find Support – Feel Good Suffolk

Resources

Download our Great Yarmouth patient leaflet in English, Ukrainian and Portuguese.

Download our Lowestoft leaflet in English.

Please email nwicb.communications@nhs.net if you require these resources in another language or alternative format.