New campaign launches in Southwark to help detect lung cancer early

The lung health check is being rolled out across areas in Southwark for the first time, to help people who are most at risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory conditions, such as asthma to get diagnosed early. 

Residents in Southwark who are aged 55 to 74 and registered as a current or former smoker with their GP, are being invited for a lung health check. The check can detect lung cancer before symptoms appear, allowing doctors time to treat patients early on, when the chances of survival are higher.

Currently, the number of new lung cancer cases in south east London accounts for the highest in London, with the majority of these cases diagnosed at a later stage. In fact, only 24 per cent of lung cancers in south east London are diagnosed early (stage 1 and 2), and demonstrates the need to make these new checks available.

In partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, the South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA) began piloting the TLHC programme in October 2022, with plans to extend to other parts of south east London next year.

So far, over 3,000 people living in Southwark have received an invited in the post, encouraging them to book an initial nurse led assessment, which will explore chest symptoms and risk of lung cancer and other respiratory conditions. Residents who would benefit from having an additional face-to-face examination will have the opportunity to receive a CT scan of their lungs on a community van, at the Asda Superstore in Old Kent Road.

Visit www.sel-lunghealthcheck.nhs.uk to find out if you should receive an invite. 

Please note the lung health check is for people without symptoms. If you’ve noticed a change, don’t wait for your lung health check appointment. Tell your GP as soon as possible.