Why lung health checks are done
Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK. There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.
Lung cancer screening aims to find lung cancer early, sometimes before you have symptoms.
The lung health check looks at how well your lungs are working and can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can make lung cancer more treatable and make treatment more successful.
Who is eligible for a lung health check
The Government has announced that the NHS will roll out targeted lung cancer screening across England. Currently, lung health checks are only available in some parts of England. They will be available everywhere by 2029.
If you're eligible, you'll get a letter or phone call from your GP or a local NHS service inviting you to an appointment.
You may be invited if all the following apply to you:
- you live in an area where lung health checks are currently offered
- you're aged between 55 and 74
- you're registered with a GP surgery
- you're a current or former smoker