Lung Cancer Screening

If you’re aged between 55 and 74 and have ever smoked, you may be offered an NHS lung health check (lung cancer screening).

Why lung health checks are done

Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK. There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.

Lung cancer screening aims to find lung cancer early, sometimes before you have symptoms.

The lung health check looks at how well your lungs are working and can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can make lung cancer more treatable and make treatment more successful.

Who is eligible for a lung health check

To be eligible for our lung cancer screening, you must be:

  • Registered with a participating GP practice in Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Aged 55-74
  • A current or former smoker

If you don’t meet these criteria, you will not be invited for NHS lung cancer screening.

If you feel you meet the eligibility criteria and you haven’t received an invitation, there could be several reasons for this:

  • Invitations for patients from your practice have not yet been sent out.
  • Your practice is not participating in this programme.
  • You are not registered with a GP in Hammersmith and Fulham, although you may live in this area.
  • Your smoking status has not been recorded on your GP record.

Please note: If your GP record doesn’t state your smoking status, you will still receive a letter letting you know the programme is available. If you don’t feel you are eligible, or you do not want to participate, you can ignore this letter and ask your GP practice to update your record.

  • If you do feel you are eligible and would like to take part, please call 020 3835 1600 to see if this can be arranged.

If you are worried about your symptoms

You can read about symptoms of lung cancer on the NHS website.

If you have symptoms that you are worried about you can request an appointment.

Find out more on the NHS website

Visit the NHS website guide to lung cancer screening

You can also find information about lung cancer screening from:

RM Partners – Lung Cancer Screening

If you have any questions, would like general information, or would like to opt out of the lung cancer screening programme, please email: inl.wlondon.lcs@nhs.net