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GPs in target areas of Wythenshawe are inviting patients, who are past or current smokers aged 55–74 years, for a lung health check at the mobile scanner and clinic unit based on the Forum car park until summer 2024.
The checks are the latest phase of the Greater Manchester (GM) Targeted Lung Health Check Programme – a drive to help improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and save more lives – organised by Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
The mobile clinic will operate six days a week from 8am to 8pm until summer 2024 to ensure that appointments are accessible to everyone who’s invited by their GP.
GM has one of the highest mortality rates for lung cancer in England. Patients invited for a check will talk initially to a specialist nurse about their health and lifestyle which will determine whether they are high or low risk.
If deemed high risk, a low dose computed tomography (CT) scan is offered for further investigation on the same day and to be enrolled into the programme.
Most people will receive reassurance that no further action is required or be referred for help to stop smoking.
At the time of writing 450 patients had been diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of the GM lung checks, however, almost 80 per cent of these patients were diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 and more likely to be eligible for curative treatment.
People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.
Dr Rachel Murphy of Cornishway Practice said: “It’s very important to take up your invitation for a lung health check – it really can help to save lives.
“The survival rate for lung cancer significantly increases if it’s caught in the early stages and through our approach to these targeted lung health checks, we will be contacting residents most at risk.”
Lung cancer is often caught too late as there are rarely symptoms at the earlier stages. The programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung cancer in order to spot signs at the stage when it’s much more treatable.
The Department for Health and Social Care has predicted that rolling out screening to high-risk 55 to 74 year olds will save lives by detecting up to 9,000 lung cancers a year at an early stage across England.
Further information: www.mft.nnhs.uk/lunghealthcheck or, if concerned about symptoms: www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms.