Why you’ve been invited
People aged from 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke usually have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. The majority of people will not have lung cancer found, but if it is, we can act quickly and provide treatment. This booklet aims to help you choose whether or not to take part in Lung Cancer Screening.

Why early diagnosis makes a difference
If there is a problem on one part of the lung, and this is caught early, treatment can focus on just the bit that is affected. If found later the problem may have spread to other areas of the lungs and body making it more difficult to treat.

What happens at Lung Cancer Screening?
There are two parts to Lung Cancer Screening: the first part is the Lung Health Check and the second part is the lung scan. The results of your initial assessment will decide whether you need the lung scan. Throughout the process you will have plenty of time to chat to the health professionals and ask any questions.

Anyone aged 55-74 who is a current or ex-smoker and registered with a Staffordshire GP. 

Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan to check for the early signs of lung cancer, before you have any symptoms. This is a special scan that uses a very low dose of radiation and a computer to take a detailed picture of your lungs.

You will be advised by the nurse if you need a low-dose CT scan. This will be arranged within 7- 14 days from your appointment with the Lung Health Check team. If the appointment is not convenient please call the number on the letter to rearrange.

• During the scan, you will usually lie flat on your back on a bed that moves slowly into the CT scanner.
• You will be able to wear your clothes but you may be asked to take your coat off.
• The scanner is shaped like a ring and it rotates around a small section of your body as you pass through it.
• Specially-trained staff (called radiographers) control the scanner from behind a screen in the CT room. You will be able to see and speak to them during the scan.
• When a scan is taken, you will need to lie still and follow simple breathing instructions for 10 seconds. This makes sure the pictures are not blurred.
• The scan is painless and you will be able to eat, drink or drive as normal after your scan.

Lung scan - possible results

You will get your results from us within four weeks. There are
four possible results:

No problems found
This means we saw no signs of lung cancer on the scan. We will write to you with the results and ask you to come back for another scan in two years. However, it is still possible that lung cancer could develop between scans or that the scan may have missed it. If you notice anything that is not normal for you before your next scan, tell your doctor.

Second scan needed
This usually means there is something on the scan but we cannot currently tell what is causing. It is probably something harmless, but because it could be more serious we will ask you to come for another scan in around three or twelve months, just to check.

Further tests needed
This means we’ve seen something on the scan and you need further tests, which could include a biopsy. We will call you and write to the hospital so you can be seen quickly by a doctor to investigate further.

Another problem found
The scan is mainly designed to find lung cancer, but it can occasionally find other problems. These can vary from serious to less significant. We will write to you and your GP and ensure you are referred to the correct specialist for anything important we find that may require treatment.

Treatment of early lung cancer is often successful.

You are three times more likely to be diagnosed at an early stage through Lung Cancer Screening.

Small and early lung cancer can often be removed completely by
operation or treated with radiotherapy.

Research suggests screening for lung cancer using CT scans can reduce your risk of dying from the cancer by around 25%.

The low dose CT scan will expose you to a small amount of
radiation.

It is the same as about one year’s worth of radiation from the
natural environment.

Radiation can cause cell damage which may, after many years or
decades, become cancerous. If a further CT scan is needed then
this will expose you to more radiation.

The overall risk of these CT scans causing a cancer remains very
low, compared with the benefits of detecting lung cancer early.

For a very small number of people the scan does not always
find a cancer that is there.

This is called a false negative. You could also still develop lung cancer in the future. If you do start to display symptoms at any time please see your doctor.

In some people, the scan picks up something even though they
do not have lung cancer.

This is called a false positive result and would mean you need further tests before confirming you don’t have cancer.

Scans can pick up lung cancers that will never cause a person harm Doctors cannot always tell if a cancer will go on to be life threatening. As a result, some people will receive treatment that they may not need. This is unusual in lung cancer screening.

Lung cancer can start to develop between scans and screening can sometimes miss lung cancer. It is important to look out for anything that is unusual for you, especially:

• 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

If you notice any of these changes, see your GP as soon as possible. Do not wait for another scan.

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.
It is when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way to form a tumour in the lung.
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of
lung cancer.
Finding cancer early means treatment is much more likely to be successful.
Most lung cancer grows slowly enough for it to be found at an early stage by a low-dose CT scan.
Finding lung cancer early can really improve a person’s experience and outcome of treatment. This is why screening for lung cancer is offered.

Many people who have been smoking for years and who have tried to quit multiple times have successfully stopped smoking.
If you do smoke and would like to stop, there are friendly, free and local stop smoking services waiting for you to get in touch. A healthcare professional at your Lung Cancer Screening appointment can put you in touch with these services, you can ask your GP, contact NHS Smokefree on 0300 123 1044 or visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree.

If you don't meet the criteria you will not have been invited for your lung health check by your GP.

You must be:

Aged 55 and under 75

A smoker or ever smoked

If you have not told your doctors that you have smoked or are still smoking, you will not be registered on their system and therefore will not have been invited to have a lung health check, even if you meet the age criteria.

What should I do?

You should contact your local GP practice and speak to the reception staff, they may be able to add the smoking status to your file. This may mean you could be invited for the lung health check.

What if I'm worried about my lung health?

If you have any symptoms you are worried about, for instance a persistent cough that you have had for 3 weeks or more, or feeling breathless, you should make an appointment with your GP.

For more information about lung conditions and what to do if you have symptoms you're not sure about visit www.nhs.uk. Or go to our Useful Links page to see organisations that support people with lung disease and other health concerns.