'Life-saving' lung cancer screening rolled out

Scores of people have been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer due to the screening pilot

A pilot lung cancer screening programme, which the NHS said had helped save lives, is being rolled out to more areas.

The scheme was first launched for smokers and ex-smokers aged between 55 and 74 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in 2022, before being extended to Lowestoft, Suffolk. It will now be available across the whole of Norfolk and Waveney.

Seventy people screened out of 8,000 were diagnosed with lung cancer, with 70% discovered at an early and more treatable stage, according to the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB).

"We've already seen a fantastic response... and that's why we're pushing ahead to offer more people the check," said Dr Suzanne Phillips from the board.

"We're rolling this out in stages to tens of thousands of people, so it's really important people wait to be contacted about their check and book it in when offered.

"Lung cancer usually doesn't have many symptoms in its early stages, so that's why it's important we proactively check people who might be at risk of developing it."

As part of the project, assessments with a medic are carried out initially, and lung scans are then offered if necessary.

People could attend a launch event between 10:00 BST and 13:00 on Tuesday, 26 August at the TIC mobile unit in Sainsbury's car park on the Hardwick industrial estate in King's Lynn, where free health checks will be offered.