NHS Lung Health Checks are coming to Hyndburn

A potentially life-saving health check aimed at former smokers is coming to Hyndburn after a successful rollout in other parts of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Starting this month, current or former smokers aged between 55 and 74 will be invited to attend this free check, described as an ‘MOT for your lungs’.

Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC) are helping the NHS to spot lung cancer and other issues early when they are easier to treat.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria TLHC programme was launched in April 2021 in Blackburn with Darwen, before expanding to other areas including Blackpool, Burnley and Rossendale.

More than 24,500 people have already benefited from this service, with some receiving life-saving treatment for conditions which may have otherwise gone undiagnosed.

The checks take place in two stages, with a 10-minute consultation with a trained healthcare professional followed by a low-dose CT scan for those identified as being at risk of lung cancer.

Dr John Howells, clinical lead for Targeted Lung Health Checks, said: “I am pleased we will soon be inviting eligible people to take part in the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme in Hyndburn. Thousands of people in other parts of Lancashire have been given valuable peace of mind by taking part in the programme and where we have found potential health issues it is helping us to treat them sooner.

“Almost 9,500 people will receive an invite to take part in Hyndburn, so if you are contacted by a member of the team offering you a lung health check, please say yes. Early diagnosis saves lives.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, leader of Hyndburn Council, added: “I am really pleased this fantastic service from the NHS is coming to Hyndburn. Thank you to everyone involved in making it happen. Preventative health checks are so important, and I encourage everyone who is offered an appointment for a lung scan to say yes.”

While most people who take part receive a clean bill of health, a small minority require further treatment.

Cathie Bowker, 70, from Darwen, received treatment for lung cancer after being invited to a check.

Cathie said: “I almost didn’t accept the invite at first because I stopped smoking over 20 years ago but I’m so glad I did. Based on my answers to their questions, I was recommended for a scan which found I had lung cancer. It came as a real shock as I had no symptoms.

“Thankfully it was caught early, and I am now on the mend. I would recommend anyone who is offered a lung health check to take it. It really can save lives.”

Lung cancer rarely presents any symptoms in its early stages, making it much more difficult to detect and treat effectively; this programme is designed to check those most at risk earlier.

The Targeted Lung Health Check programme is currently available in 43 areas of the UK and estimates that it will diagnose around 9,000 early-stage cancers, offering the opportunity for earlier interventions, including curative surgery, which will save lives. Stop smoking advice will also be offered to support current smokers.

More information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme is available at: https://lungcheckslsc.co.uk/.