The NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme (formerly known as Targeted Lung Health Checks when it was first introduced), is the biggest initiative in NHS history aimed at improving earlier lung cancer diagnosis.
The programme is aimed at tackling health inequalities and first started in the region in 2019. Mobile scanning trucks would visit communities with the highest numbers of lung cancers diagnosed at a late stage.
The highest number of cases were seen in current and past smokers, so it was this group over the age of 55 and up to 74, registered with participating GP practices, who were invited for screening.
The east of England was one of the first regions to trial the programme, starting in a few local areas in 2019, with early sites including Thurrock and Luton. Fast-forward to 2026 and sites to date have included: Peterborough, Huntingdon, Milton Keynes, Luton, Stevenage, Bedford, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Clacton, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend, Thurrock and Basildon. New sites have started up this year in Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, King’s Lynn and Ipswich.
The programme is now being expanded across the region with a mix of scanning facilities in place; some locations have used mobile units with dedicated scanning facilities, other screening teams are based in hospitals and healthcare settings.
The assessment involves lung health checks with participants invited to speak with a nurse or other healthcare professional about their lung health. If they have a higher risk of developing cancer they are offered a CT scan of their lungs.
The programme has significantly reduced the inequalities in lung cancer diagnosis. There has been a reduction in late-stage diagnoses in the communities targeted. More than a third of people diagnosed with lung cancer from the most deprived areas of England have been diagnosed at an early stage since the targeted lung health checks initiative began.
East of England Cancer Alliance’s Assistant Director, Victoria Doyle said: “Being involved in this programme has been extremely rewarding for all the NHS staff involved, we have taken it from a few sites starting up in 2019, to being expanded across the region. We have eleven sites currently active in the East of England, and a commitment to making it available to everyone eligible by 2030.
“It’s a huge initiative, with over 79,500 invites sent out last year (in 2024/2025) in the East of England region and 51,181 people having attended for appointments in the region this year (up to February 2026). We are extremely proud of everyone involved, from the nursing staff to clinicians, radiographers and members of the public who have overcome their fears and taken the brave step to get themselves checked out. Knowing that over 700 people have a much better chance of a successful outcome from their treatment because of the lung cancer screening programme is very rewarding.”
The current appointment uptake figures for the East of England region are standing at 57% – slightly higher than the national target of 55%, and a notable improvement on last year’s regional uptake of 44% for 2024/2025.
Lung Cancer Screening Programme Clinical Lead, Malcolm Lawson, said: “Each case of lung cancer detected early is potentially a life saved, and that is why we are so passionate about this project and keen for people to benefit. Lung cancer caught at an early stage is likely to be curable, whereas if it’s found at a late stage, which is what often happens without screening, the lung cancer is much harder to treat. Over 72% of cases identified through the screening are early stage. We are strongly encouraging people to take up their appointment. If you have friends or family invited, give them some support, encourage them to get checked out.”
Sue, an ex-smoker from Bedfordshire, took part in the lung cancer screening programme in 2023. The initial lung health check was conducted over the phone, followed by a CT scan. Sue was referred to the consultant after a small nodule was found on one of her lungs. She said: “I was happy to do the screening. I never had worries about going, screening saves lives and I know early detection is very important for cancer.”
Sue didn’t experience any symptoms; she had no pain or breathlessness. Then the screening team detected something on the CT scan, and while the biopsy was inconclusive, they wanted to operate. Sue said: “It was a good job I went through with the operation, because it was found to be cancerous. It was at a very early stage and it’s amazing to find it this early, so I didn’t need to go through chemotherapy and I’m confident of a full recovery.”
Sue has a post-surgery chest x-ray every three months, she says: “They keep an eye on you and I’m being looked after. I feel very lucky. I’d say as soon as it’s offered, have screening. If other people go for screening when invited – they could have the same outcome. This whole experience has changed my outlook on life. I’ve decided to live for today. I’ve just come back from holiday in Portugal and Spain, and plan to go to Mexico in January. Travel keeps you young, so more travel and adventures are planned for the future.”
The Cancer Alliance work with a number of partners to ensure the project is a success in the East of England, these include: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation who are running awareness events for the screening programme, Community Voices in Norfolk and Waveney who work with local communities to influence uptake, and various initiatives to target minority communities such as in Luton as part of the Luton Outcomes Project.
As well as being one of a select few regions to be early pioneers of the programme, the east of England is leading the way with a number of initiatives to increase uptake. Uptake has increased significantly in some areas using a new targeted invite process called ApptHealth. The Cancer Alliance are also exploring how to integrate screening into a project to help the homeless, where health navigators support the earlier detection of cancer among people experiencing homelessness.