An NHS programme targeting lung cancer is changing its name to the NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme.
Previously known as Targeted Lung Health Checks, the programme detects cancers earlier when treatments are easier and more likely to be successful.
We want to make sure that everyone who has had appointments via the previous name of Lung Health Checks is fully aware of the change. From now on your follow up letters and communications with the programme will be under the name of Lung Cancer Screening. It’s the same great programme with the same aim of saving lives.
– Dr Malcolm Lawson, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Clinical Lead for Lung Cancer for the East of England region
While there is a new name and logo, nothing else has changed. The Lung Cancer Screening programme aims to save lives by catching lung cancer in the earlier stages when treatment has a greater chance of success. By screening people that are at higher risk, cancers in the early stages can be detected before there are any obvious symptoms.
The programme offers free screening to smokers and ex-smokers who are aged between 55 and 74. In mid and south Essex, the lung screening programme has been operating in Thurrock, Southend, Basildon, Wickford, and Brentwood. Residents living in those areas who meet the eligibility criteria can still attend their screening at any time by contacting the service.
Lung cancer screening initially launched as a pilot back in 2020, and since then the Government has announced plans to roll out the programme nationwide. The NHS in turn has announced the name change in order to be more consistent with other national NHS screening programmes. Research also shows that the name Lung Cancer Screening is better understood.
East of England Lung Cancer Screening