Targeted Lung Health Checks Posted or Updated on 20 Dec 2023

‘Targeted Lung Health Checks’ (TLHC) are programmes reporting to NHS England1 which have been established in each Cancer Alliance in England to deliver ‘Lung Health Checks’ (LHC) with the aim of helping diagnose lung cancer at an earlier stage when treatment may be more successful. TLHC programmes have been running for a number of years in other parts of England, with learning and evaluation from these programmes informing a wider expansion across England in 2022/23. A data sharing agreement has been signed by the practice to allow this programme to occur and to ensure information is shared securely.

People aged over 55 years old but less than 75 years old that have ever smoked will be invited to a free lung check by Ashfield Engage on behalf of Guys and St Thomas Hospital as programme host.. Following the lung health check, those assessed as high risk will be offered a low dose CT scan to investigate possible cancer. Any patients suspected of cancer upon this investigation will be upgraded to the standard NHS lung cancer investigation and care pathway. Through this programme, it is hoped many more lung cancers will be diagnosed earlier and so may be eligible for more curative treatments.