Lung checks available in bid to diagnose illnesses earlier

NHS Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC) are now being offered in Goole and Howden.

The TLHC programme, located in Goole for the next three months, began on Thursday, July 18 and aims to help diagnose lung cancer and other respiratory diseases at an earlier stage, when treatment may be simpler and more successful. Detecting more cancers early is a key element within the NHS Long Term Plan, with an ambition that 55,000 more people each year will survive their cancer for at least five years by 2028. The Lung Health Check service launched in Humber and North Yorkshire in January 2020 and has since welcomed over 20,000 participants.

Lung health checks have helped to identify cancer and a number of respiratory diseases at an early stage and provided opportunities for earlier treatment that has saved lives. The service is inviting people aged 55 to 74, who are current or former smokers, living in Goole or Howden and registered with one of these GP practices for a lung health check: Snaith and Rawcliffe Medical Group, Montague Medical Centre, Howden Medical Centre, The Health Centre – Gilberdyke, and Bartholomew Medical Group. Amongst the first visitors to the clinic van was Bob and Jeanne Kingdom. Just out of his scan, Bob explained that it was all “very simple and very easy.” Jeanne added that “because you do the phone consultation beforehand when you get here it’s very simple.” Bob continued, “It’s so important to take advantage of theses schemes. “Don’t put it off, this is a chance to see if there is a problem and if there is, they have the chance to stop it early.”

Leigh Dawson, the Lung Health Check assessor, also urged residents to come for the check saying, “It’s better to find it early, or not at all, than too late.” There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage. As a result, sadly around seven in 10 cancer patients are currently being diagnosed too late. Most lung cancers grow slowly enough for them to be found at an early stage by a lung scan. When lung cancer is diagnosed early, there are more options for treatment and a higher chance or survival. NHS Targeted Lung Health Checks help find problems early (often before you notice anything is wrong) and at a stage when treatment could be simpler and more successful – ultimately saving more lives. Approximately only two in 100 people checked will be diagnosed with lung cancer. If you are diagnosed, attending a check could have saved your life. Leigh also wanted to reassure people that the scans and checks are a judgment free zone. She added: “A lot of people think that there is some judgment to people who smoke. Which there isn’t. Only 78 per cent of lung cancer is related to smokers. It only means you are a higher risk.” Leigh went on to describe how those in the age range of people invited to the scan grew up in a time where smoking was extremely normalised and everywhere. But not only can smoking place people at a higher risk, but so could the industries in which people worked. Dr Stuart Baugh, Programme Director for the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme in Humber and North Yorkshire said: “A lot of patients I see are sadly in the later stages of the diagnosis, because the signs and symptoms of lung cancer don’t present until a later stage. “However these checks mean people coming to see me are now looking at a 12 or 18-months earlier diagnosis. “When the cancer is smaller and therefore more curable treatment is available. “The scans can also find other conditions of the lungs or the heart. “Goole is a high area for lung cancer, higher volume of smokers and industries which can cause similar effects. “But the more scans we can deliver, the more good we can do for Goole.”

Residents are urged to check if they qualify for this scan as soon as possible, as the temporary clinic van will be in Goole for only three months before moving onto help residents around Scunthorpe. If you think you qualify for this scan, or if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of lung cancer, do not wait to be invited to a lung health check appointment to see a healthcare professional, get in touch with your GP practice.

Leigh Dawson, the Lung Health Check assessor, patients Bob and Jeanne Kingdom, along with fellow nurses of the Lung Health Check Clinic. (25-07-03 GT/ES)