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Text reads: Lung Cancer Screening

What is the Lung Cancer Screening Programme?

The Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) programme is a national NHS programme, led by NHS England. Its aim is to find lung cancer at an early stage, sometimes before people have any symptoms, when treatment is more effective and outcomes are better. The programme supports the NHS Long Term Plan commitment to improve early cancer diagnosis and survival.

Who is invited?

The programme focuses on people who are at higher risk of developing lung cancer:

  • Adults aged 55–74
  • People with a current or previous history of smoking

Eligible individuals are invited for a Lung Health Check, which looks at overall lung health and, where appropriate, may include a low-dose CT scan.

Why is screening important?

Finding lung cancer early can make a significant difference:

  • Around three quarters of people diagnosed through the programme are found to have early-stage lung cancer (stages 1 or 2), when it is easier to treat.
  • Without screening, fewer than one in three lung cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.
  • Some people diagnosed early may need less invasive treatment, such as keyhole surgery.
  • Many people diagnosed through the programme do not require treatments such as chemotherapy.

Supporting lung health

Everyone who attends a Lung Health Check receives advice on how to improve their lung health. People who still smoke are offered support to quit, including advice during their appointment and referral to their local Stop Smoking Service if they wish.

Programme roll-out

The roll out of the Lung Cancer Screening programme in the county started on 1 December 2025
It will be introduced in phases over four years, starting in areas with the highest levels of smoking, lung cancer rates and deprivation.

Participants for the programme have been organised into cohorts, so that each cohort can be provided with a convenient CT scanning location providing ease of access and good public transport links.

To read the roll-out schedule, click on the following link: Roll-out Schedule

Who is delivering the programme in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin?

We have appointed Alliance Medical, working in partnership with Xyla Healthcare and TMC, to deliver the Lung Cancer Screening service locally.

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback, you can contact the service provider:

Background to the programme

  • The programme first launched in parts of the UK in 2019 as the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) programme, focusing on areas with higher lung cancer mortality.
  • In June 2023, it was announced that the programme would be expanded nationally, aiming to reach all eligible people by 2028.
  • In September 2024, the TLHC programme was confirmed to transition into the national Lung Cancer Screening programme by April 2025.
  • The national roll-out is ongoing, with at least one screening site now live in each of the 21 Cancer Alliances.

Find out more

You can learn more about why attending is important by watching this short video: Why should you attend even if you feel well video

You can read the launch press release by clicking on the following link: Lung Cancer Screening Launch Press Release

 

 

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Page last updated 30 January 2026

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