“You don’t think it’s going to be you, but it was”: Smoker of 50 years thanks UHNM Lung Cancer Screening Programme for saving her life
The life of a smoker of 50 years has been saved thanks to teams from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).
Valerie Bailey from Stone was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer after being invited to attend a screening by UHNM’s Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
Following her diagnosis, the 67-year old was able to kick the habit after 50 years with help from UHNM’s Stop Smoking Service, and on No Smoking Day, is encouraging others to join her in stubbing out their cigarettes for good.
Valerie said: “A few girls at work had already been invited for their screening, so when I was offered the chance to attend mine I did, despite being a bit nervous having smoked for 50 years.
“You don’t know anything is wrong and are smoking away thinking everything is alright. You don’t think it’s going to be you, but it was.”
“I’d tried to quit smoking unsuccessfully in the past, it just wasn’t the right time. But that was before I had the screening. Something just clicked, I thought I dare not put anything else in my lungs. But I feel lucky that they were able to find my cancer early.”
Following her cancer diagnosis Valerie was supported by UHNM’s smoking cessation team to quit and has since been smoke-free for eight months.
Kimberly Perickathara, tobacco dependency lead nurse at UHNM said: “Each month we support hundreds of inpatients at UHNM to quit smoking. Patients are screened upon admission and given advice and materials to help them to make the decision to stop smoking. Every patient is offered nicotine replacement therapy and a referral to an external clinic with further support available to patients who require additional help from us.”
Jessica Mulroy-Johnson, Engagement and Communications for the Lung Cancer Screening Programme said: “The screening programme encourages current and ex-smokers aged between 55-74 to attend their lung health check appointment when invited. The screenings help detect lung cancers at an early stage when treatment is more effective. Our lungs are very good at hiding something that might be wrong, it’s really important to attend your appointment even if you are symptom-free and feeling well.”
No Smoking Day takes place as UHNM is working towards becoming a smoke free site and is encouraging staff, patients and visitors to quit smoking or smoke off site and away from the main building.
From 1 January 2026, the Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford will become Smokefree and smoking will be banned from on site, even in shelters and tolerance areas.
Rachel Polwart, UHNM Organisational Development consultant in wellbeing said: “Smoking remains one of the biggest killers in the UK, with 64,000 people dying from smoking related illnesses in England every year. It is for this reason that as an organisation we wish to protect our staff, patients and visitors and become a smoke free organisation in January 2026. It is from today that the countdown to smoke free will commence, ensuring that we are all ready and that those who wish to quit are provided with the guidance and support required to take that next step.”
Valerie added: “I’m proud of myself that I was able to successfully to quit, something I never thought I’d be able to do. My advice to anybody else trying to kick the habit is keep at it- I failed to begin with but kept at it and carried on. The smoking cessation team at UHNM were so good with me and encouraged me every step of the way.”
For help and advice on quitting smoking click here.