Life-saving screening for lung cancer - 100% rollout across the region

Lung cancer screening has been rolled out across the whole of South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw with 100% of eligible people now officially invited.

The screening is available for people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke. It first launched in Doncaster in 2021 as one of 10 national pilots, then called the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. It launched in Bassetlaw in August 2022, Rotherham in October 2022, Barnsley in March 2023, and Sheffield in September 2024. The last few invites in Sheffield were sent in January this year, marking the 100% initial rollout completion across the region.

The programme’s impact has been significant. Approximately 178,000 people have been invited, and nearly 79,000 people have had their Lung Health Check (LHC), which is the first part of the screening process.

Just short of 34,000 people were referred for the second part, a CT scan, and 830 cancers have been detected so far. Out of these, 666 are lung cancers, with 77% of these found at an early stage when treatment is much more likely to be successful.

Because the CT scan is taken of the person’s chest, 164 other cancers have also been diagnosed, including breast, oesophageal, and lower gastrointestinal.And the programme has so far detected 830 cancers - 666 of them lung cancers.

Dr Jason Page, Clinical Director South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Lung Cancer Screening, said: "We’re very proud to be able to say everyone eligible for lung cancer screening in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw should now have been invited. The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme team – as it was previously called – started planning back in 2019, and it’s a fantastic feeling to be at 100% rollout almost seven years later. I would personally like to thank every single person that has contributed to making this possible. What an achievement!"

In addition, more than 1,200 people have quit smoking as a result of having their check, because all current smokers are offered smoking cessation support.

The success of the pilots has helped shape national policy, with NHS England confirming that LCS will become a national programme by 2030, recognising its vital role in saving lives and reducing health inequalities.

Cancer screening across England, including LCS, is one of the priorities featured in the National Cancer Plan, which is scheduled for launch on 4 February to coincide with World Cancer Day. The 10-year plan will include a clear focus on screening programmes to meet one of its main ambitions to diagnose more cancers earlier.

Innovative trials and more advanced treatments in lung cancer using robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are emerging in some areas of England, which will add to the success LCS has had nationally in increasing the number of early diagnoses. The technology will support faster and more accurate biopsies as well as continuing to reduce inequalities in healthcare by reducing delays and improving access to these advanced diagnostics, regardless of where a person is from.

Dr Page added: “Our work doesn’t stop now everyone has received an invite. Far from it, in fact, because those who have become eligible since we were last in their area are invited on a rolling basis.

“People who have turned 55 or moved to the area, people who didn’t quite meet the risk threshold score for a CT scan referral after their Lung Health Check, and people who didn’t respond last time will also be sent an invite.

“We’ve noticed we’re finding ‘new’ people are receiving invites when we’re back in their area, because they’ve updated their GP patient records so their smoking status is accurate

“We’re working our way across Doncaster for its third LCS round, Bassetlaw’s third round will start later this year, Rotherham and Barnsley’s second round is underway, and Sheffield’s second round will begin this autumn.”

Finding lung cancer early saves lives. It often displays no symptoms for many people when it is at an early stage, which is why anyone receiving an invite for screening is strongly encouraged to attend, even if they feel fine or stopped smoking a long time ago.

Sandra Sloan went for her screening when it was first in Doncaster in 2021 and has advocated for it ever since. She hadn’t experienced any symptoms and had stopped smoking 16 years before she got her invite letter. After having her lung health check, Sandra was referred for a scan, and a tumour was found on her lung. She had surgery to remove a third of one of her lungs and has been given the ‘all clear’, making a complete recovery.

Sandra said: “You don’t expect to get cancer. You think you’re not going to get it, but you can. I’m so thankful that I took part in the screening programme. The sooner you get treatment, the better.

“I say to people just go for it; when you’re invited, you should always get checked. It could save your life, and it definitely saved mine.”