Some people who test negative but are found to have nodules will be reinvited for more frequent scans. Those whose scans are negative will be reinvited for further scans every 24 months, until they pass the upper age limit. Additional radiographers, due to be appointed as part of the long term workforce plan, will help to support the programme.Īnyone assessed as being at high risk of lung cancer will be referred to have a low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan and subsequent diagnosis and treatment if needed. It is estimated the rollout will mean 325,000 people will be newly eligible for a first scan each year with 992,000 scans expected per year in total. It has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers which is largely attributed to lung cancer being diagnosed at a late stage when treatment is much less likely to be effective. Treating cancer early improves people’s chance of survival with 60% of people currently surviving stage 1 cancer for 5 years or more and 4% at stage 4. Smoking causes 72% of lung cancers, around 35,000 people die and 48,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. I am determined to combat cancer on all fronts through better prevention, detection, treatment and research. Rolling this out further will prolong lives by catching cancer earlier and reducing the levels of treatment required not just benefiting the patient but others waiting for treatment. Through our screening programme we are now seeing more diagnoses at stage 1 and stage 2 in the most deprived communities which is both a positive step and a practical example of how we are reducing health inequalities. Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay said: More than 2,000 people were detected as having cancer, 76% at an earlier stage compared to 29% in 2019 outside of the programme. The programme could also help people improve their health and reduce their risk of cancer by encouraging the use of smoking cessation services.ĭuring the initial phase almost 900,000 people were invited for checks, 375,000 risk assessments made and 200,000 scans were carried out. Today’s announcement will help us go further and provide a lifeline to thousands of families across the country. The NHS has treated record numbers of cancer patients over the last 2 years, with cancer being diagnosed at an earlier stage more often and survival rates improving across almost all types of cancer. Rolling out screening to high-risk 55 to 74 year olds will save lives by detecting up to 9,000 lung cancers a year at an early stage. Patients will have their risk of cancer assessed based on their smoking history and other factors and those considered high risk will be invited for specialist scans every 2 years.Īs we approach the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, I want to ensure that it continues to thrive for the next 75 years and beyond.Īnd while we focus on cutting waiting lists in the short term, we must also look to tackle some of the long-term challenges facing the NHS, including lung cancer which costs 35,000 lives every year. The programme, backed by a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee - will use patient’s GP records for those aged 55 to 74 to identify current or former smokers. The rollout follows a successful opening phase where approximately 70% of the screening took place in mobile units parked in convenient places - such as supermarket car parks - to ensure easy access and focused on more deprived areas where people are 4 times more likely to smoke. Rollout follows the success of the first phase of the targeted lung health check scheme by NHS England with 76% of lung cancers in those tested caught at an earlier stageĪ national targeted lung cancer screening programme designed to catch cancer sooner or prevent it altogether has been announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.Įach year the programme - which will cost £270 million annually once fully implemented - is expected to detect cancer in as many as 9,000 people, deliver almost one million scans and provide treatment earlier.People aged 55 to 74 with a GP record including a history of smoking will be assessed and invited for screenings and smoking cessation services.Targeted lung cancer screening to help detect cancer sooner and speed up diagnosis.
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