Screening for lung cancer

Lung cancer screening aims to find lung cancer early. This is when there are more treatment options available and they have the best chance of cure.

The targeted lung cancer screening programme is new. So it’s likely that it will take some time before this is available for everyone.

When it’s up and running, everyone aged between 55 and 74 who either smoke or used to smoke will get an invite for an assessment. If this shows that you are at high risk of lung cancer, you will be offered a low dose CT scan of the lungs. 

We don't have all the details on how lung screening will work yet. For example, we don't know how often people will be invited. Experts are still deciding on the best way to do the screening across the UK. 

In parts of England and Wales, some people are invited for a Lung Health Check. This will continue while the screening programme is being introduced.

What is cancer screening?

Screening means testing people for early stages of a disease. This is before they have any symptoms. For screening to be useful the tests:

• need to be reliable at picking up cancers
• overall must do more good than harm to people taking part
• must be something that people are willing to do

Screening tests are not perfect and have some risks. The screening programme should also be good value for money for the NHS.

It’s important to remember that lung cancer screening will not prevent you from getting cancer. It aims to find the cancer early when you have the best chance of cure.

Why has lung cancer screening been recommended?

The UK National Screening Committee is an independent organisation. They look at the research and advise on screening programmes. The committee has recently recommended that a targeted lung cancer screening programme is offered across the UK.

Screening for lung cancer has never been offered in the UK before because previously the evidence wasn’t clear.

Targeted Lung Health Checks are a pilot that started in some areas of England in 2019. Experts have now looked at the evidence from this pilot and other studies. They found that screening people at high risk of lung cancer saves lives from the disease and the benefits outweigh the harms.

In Wales, a lung health check pilot started in September 2023.

It will take some time to roll out the new screening programme across the UK. This is because they need to create more capacity to do lung assessments and CT scans. 

Who has targeted lung cancer screening?

When it’s up and running, everyone at high risk of lung cancer will be invited. It is for people who:

• are aged between 55 and 74
• and either smoke or used to smoke

What happens during lung cancer screening?

First, you have an assessment with a health professional. They ask you some questions to find out more about your lung cancer risk.

If this shows that you are at higher risk of lung cancer, you have a low dose CT scan to take a detailed picture of your lungs.

Having a CT scan

A CT scan is a test that uses x-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It takes pictures from different angles. The computer puts them together to make a 3-dimensional (3D) image.

Getting your results

A specialist doctor called a radiologist looks for anything abnormal on the CT scan. You should hear the results within a few weeks. They will also give you information about what happens next.

You might have more tests if the scan shows something abnormal. You might be referred to a specialist if it shows that you may have lung cancer.

Possible benefits and risks of lung cancer screening

Possible benefits

There is evidence that screening people based on their risk of lung cancer can save lives. The initial assessment helps to work out who is at higher risk of lung cancer and might benefit from having a CT scan.

Diagnosing lung cancer early means that treatment is more likely to work.

Risks

There is evidence that targeted lung screening saves lives from lung cancer. But tests like this still have risks. The lungs are very sensitive to radiation and frequent scans might cause lung damage.

Each CT scan exposes a person to small amounts of radiation from the x-rays. But the amount of radiation is very small. 

False positives and false negatives

Screening doesn’t always find a cancer that is there. So some people with lung cancer will be missed. This is a false negative result.

In some people, the test picks up something even though they don’t have lung cancer. This is a false positive result. This means that you would need further tests such as more scans or a biopsy. This can make people feel anxious or worried unnecessarily. The follow up tests may have complications.

Overdiagnosis

As well as finding lung cancers that need treatment, screening can also pick up lung cancers that won't ever cause any problems. This is overdiagnosis. It means that some lung cancers found through screening might not harm somebody in their lifetime. So some people go on to have lung cancer treatment that they would never have needed.

You can read more about overdiagnosis on our blog.

The balance of possible benefits and risks

Understanding the possible benefits and risks of lung screening will help you to make the decision that is right for you. Whether or not to go for screening is your choice.

Read the information that comes with your invitation. You can talk to your GP or nurse. Or you can contact the Cancer Research UK nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

I have symptoms, what should I do?

Screening looks for early signs of lung cancer before there are any symptoms. But if you notice any symptoms or anything that is not normal for you, you should tell your doctor.

Lung cancer symptoms include:

• having a new cough or a cough most of the time
• getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem
• coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it
• feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
• having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder

I want to reduce my risk of lung cancer

Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. The best way to quit is by using specialist support. Speak to your doctor or find your local service at NHS Smokefree.