Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance’s Targeted Lung Health Checks

SWAG Cancer Alliance’ Targeted Lung Health Check Programme is a new pilot scheme giving people a chance to check their lung health. We will test how well your lungs are functioning and offer advice and support around keeping your lungs healthy. Most of the time, we do not find any problems, and we will be able to reassure you that your lungs are working well. You can think of it like a car MOT. We will check everything is working well and, in the unlikely case that a problem is picked up with a person’s lungs or breathing, finding it early could make treatment easier and more successful.

“You don’t expect to get cancer. You think you’re not going to get it, but you can. I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to take part in the Doncaster Lung Health Check. The sooner you get treatment the better. I say to people just go for it, you should always get checked. It could save your life.” - Sandra, patient of Doncaster’s Targeted Lung Health Checks Programme

One of the things being looked for is lung cancer. Many people with lung cancer are not aware they have it, as there are often no signs or symptoms at an early stage. Because of this, most lung cancers are diagnosed at a later stage than other cancers, when they are large or have spread to other areas of the body. This makes treatment harder. If we can diagnose lung cancer when it is small, it is more likely to be treatable. That’s where the targeted lung health check comes in.

The lung health checks are being offered to people between the ages of 55 – 74 who are current or former smokers. Eligible individuals will be sent a letter inviting them to a telephone lung health check. This may lead to a face-to-face appointment and low-dose CT scan for some individuals.

The lung health checks are being offered in specific areas across Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon & Gloucestershire. For more information on who is eligible, go to the ‘who is eligible for the lung health check?’ section.

We are hoping to be able to offer Lung Health Checks to everyone who meets these criteria across Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire in the next few years, so if you are not invited initially, hopefully you will be soon. If you are not invited, there are several things you can do to look after your lung health in the meantime. See the ‘I’m not eligible for a lung health check, but I am interested in keeping my lungs healthy’ section.

Contact our team on  0117 233 8127 or email: swag.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net