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:
- Phone: 0330 236 8484
(Monday to Friday, 8am–7pm; Saturday, 9am–5pm) - Email: xyla.stwlungcancerscreening@nhs.net
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
Click on the following headings to find out more
Eligible participants, identified through GP records, will be sent a letter informing them that they have been selected to receive a Lung Health Check (LHC).
Along with the letter, each participant will receive an information leaflet so that they can make an informed choice.
If the eligible participant has not responded to the letter, they will receive a reminder letter and a telephone call to help them to arrange a convenient LHC appointment date.
During this LHC appointment, which will be conducted via a telephone call, participants will be asked a series of questions about their lifestyle, breathing, family and medical history; they will also be asked to verify their height, weight and smoking status (past and current) – any participant identified as a current smoker will be offered a referral to their nearest Local Authority Stop Smoking Service.
From the information gathered at their LHC, a risk score will then be calculated for each participant.
Any participants receiving a low-risk score will exit the LCS programme at that point.
Those receiving a high-risk score (i.e. those more likely to have lung cancer now or in the future) will be invited to attend a face-to-face clinical review and receive a low dose CT scan. To find out more about CT scans, watch this short video: What is a CT scan
The result of the scan will then determine what happens next, i.e.:
- People with suspected cancer will be referred into the appropriate suspected cancer assessment and diagnosis pathway.
- If no abnormality is found a person will be invited back for subsequent scans every two years, until they are over the age of 74, at which point they will age-out of the programme.
- Some people may require further surveillance scans, e.g. to monitor the growth of a small nodule. They will be invited back for a scan at regular intervals (i.e. at 3 months and 12 months following the initial scan).
- Some people may have a scan that shows signs of another problem (not cancer) that requires medical advice. Depending on the type and severity of these findings, participants may either receive a referral to Secondary Care or be advised to contact their GP for further support.
Each Participant, along with their GP, will be informed of their LCS results and outcome by standard letter. If a condition is identified through the LCS programme that requires critical or urgent medical attention, the Participant will also be informed by telephone.
FAQs from Patients
Lung Cancer Screening is a relatively new initiative so some patients may, if they are a little confused or anxious about attending an appointment, seek reassurance from their GP practice. To assist with this, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has put together the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by patients, which can be accessed through the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s website:
Lung Health Checks to Detect Lung Cancer Early | RCLCF
FAQs from GPs
Similarly, answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by GPs can be found using the following link:
Information and Promotional Assets for all Stakeholders
Stakeholder Communications Toolkit
Below you can find a number of resources to support you in helping us to promote the Lung Cancer Screening Programme:
Lung Cancer Screening Flyer/Leaflet
Lung Cancer Screening Poster 2
Lung Cancer Screening Social Media Graphic Portrait
Lung Cancer Screening Social Media Graphic Portrait 2
Lung Cancer Screening Social Media Graphic Portrait 3
Lung Cancer Screening Social Media Graphic Portrait 4
Lung Cancer Screening Credit Card 1
Lung Cancer Screening Credit Card 2
Information and Promotional Assets for GPs
Videos/Digital Assets for GP Practice Patients
Videos for GP Practice Staff
Dr Jason Page and Dr Tina George discuss the Lung Cancer Screening programme, the benefits to patients and primary care and the requirements from GP practices.
Click the links to below to watch the full-length video, or to get answers to specific questions around LCS:
- Full length video
- What are Lung Cancer Screening and what impact are they having?
- How are Lung Cancer Screening helping people affected by lung cancer?
- What are the benefits to GPs and practices?
- What is required from GPs when implementing a Lung Cancer Screening ?
- What are the main challenges?
- How are practices supported?
- What are your hopes for lung cancer screening in the future?
You can find more information about lung cancer and advice on quitting smoking by clicking on the following links:
Support to stop smoking - Shropshire
Help to stop smoking - Telford and Wrekin
Cancer Research Lung Health Checks
Cancer Research Causes of Cancer