Lung cancer screening

The NHS Long Term Plan outlines the aim to save thousands of lives each year by improving how we diagnose and treat cancer, including extending screening services. The key ambitions as outlined by the NHS Long Term Plan are: by 2028, 55,000 more people each year will survive their cancer for five years or more, and 75% of people with cancer will be diagnosed at an early stage (stage one or two). By improving our rates of diagnosing lung cancer in the earlier stages, the screening programme will help achieve these national targets.

The Targeted Lung Health Checks are based on the findings of a recent study (NELSON Lung Cancer Trial) which showed that scanning people at higher risk of developing lung cancer reduced mortality from the diseases by 26% in men and between 39 – 61% in women. Locally, our Lung Cancer Case Finding Pilot demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of screening, with 420 patients that accepting the screening offer. Among these patients, 18 cancers were found, of which 17 were in the early stages able to receive curative treatment.

Although there is currently little data available to comment on variation in Lung Health Check uptake, experience from other cancer screening programmes can help guide best practice intervention to increase screening uptake. These include:

• Primary care pre-endorsement to tell patients that they are about to be invited for screening
• Primary care endorsement on invitation letter
• Timed appointments and reminders (instead of open invitations)
• Remind patients about appointment via text message
• Electronically informing GP Practices of DNAs
• Non attenders: Telephone for conversation about screening
• Non attenders: GP reminder letter (very large effects)
• Returning to fixed appointment letters