Surrey and Sussex Lung Cancer Screening

The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is designed to find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat, thereby saving lives. Lung cancer often does not show any symptoms in the early stages, which means it can go unnoticed. Screening helps to spot it sooner, so treatment can start earlier, rather than later when it is more difficult to treat.

There are two steps to lung cancer screening:
Step 1: Lung Health Check This is usually done over the phone. A health professional will ask you some questions about your breathing, lifestyle and medical and family history. This helps to understand your risk of developing lung cancer.
Step 2: Low-dose CT scan If you are found to be at higher risk, you may be offered a CT scan. The CT scan will be booked for you at the phone appointment. The CT scan takes detailed images of your lungs to check for any problems that may need further investigation or treatment.

You will automatically get your first invite for lung cancer screening between the ages of 55 and 74. Then you will be invited every two years until you turn 74. You need to be registered with a GP surgery AND a current or former smoker. Find out when the screening programme is coming to your area by using the GP search service above.

The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is being rolled out across Surrey and Sussex in phases. We aim to offer screening to everyone in the eligible population by 2029.
You can check when the programme will reach your area by searching for your GP practice above.

You do not need to call or visit your GP. InHealth will call you within the next 14 days. Or you can call them to complete the telephone appointment at a time that suits you. If you require a lung CT scan, this will be booked during the call. Scans will be available seven days a week, 08:00-20:00.

The telephone appointment usually takes about 15–20 minutes. If you are offered a CT scan, your appointment will take around 30 minutes. The scan may take place in a mobile CT unit based in your community, or at a local hospital, to make it easier for you to attend.

The nurse will check your identity and go through a health questionnaire with you. They will explain the process and you’ll have the chance to ask questions about the Lung Cancer Screening Programme. You do not need to remove your clothes for the scan. You will lie still on the scanner bed for a couple of minutes. During the scan, the bed moves in and out of the scanner. Your head and legs will remain outside the scanner. The scan does not hurt and you will not be in an enclosed space.

Yes, please call InHealth to rearrange on 0808 168 8226.

Please contact InHealth to rearrange on 0808 168 8226.

Please contact the InHealth bookings team on: 0808 168 8226 or email inl.surreyandsussex.lcs@nhs.net They will be happy to answer any questions you have.

You should receive the results of CT scan within four weeks of your visit. Usually the team will write to you and your GP with the result.

Currently, lung cancer screenings are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. At the Lung Health Check phone call, people who are found to have a higher risk of lung cancer will be offered a low dose CT scan.

Medical research has shown that people who meet this risk threshold are most likely to benefit from a CT scan, because lung cancer may be found early. For people who do not meet the risk threshold, we do not have enough evidence that they will benefit, compared to the potential harms of having a CT scan. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have symptoms that are worrying you, contact your GP immediately.

InHealth, commissioned by the NHS, provides lung cancer screening across the UK including Frimley, Surrey and Sussex. Services include initial phone assessments, nurse appointments and mobile CT scans, as part of the Lung Cancer Screening programme.

Yes, please contact us and we can arrange for this to be sent to you. Translation and interpretation services can also be arranged for scan appointments, including British Sign Language. Contact us by phone or email. Tel: 0808 168 8226 or email: inl.surreyandsussex.lcs@nhs.net

Yes, please let the bookings team know in advance. They can arrange for you to have a face-to-face appointment with a nurse instead of a telephone call and can arrange for a British Sign Language interpreter to be available. The contact details for the bookings team is on your invite letter.

Yes. Please contact the bookings team in advance and they can send the Easyread version of the information leaflet and letter. The contact details for the bookings team is on your invite letter. We will happily make extra time available with the nurse and on the mobile unit to ensure people are not rushed and understand the process. We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments and allowances for example, carers attending, quiet times.

Yes. The locations where the nurse appointments take place are all compliant with the UK’s Disability Discriminations Act and are wheelchair accessible. There is also wheelchair access on the CT scanner unit for those who require it.

Yes. The locations where the nurse appointments take place are all compliant with the UK’s Disability Discriminations Act and are wheelchair accessible. There is also wheelchair access on the CT scanner unit for those who require it.

Please take a look at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation pages on lung health checks.

Lung cancer screening is for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. Lung cancer screenings are proven to be beneficial in medical research in this age group. Below this age we do not have enough evidence that we can achieve definite benefit. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung cancer screening is for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. Lung cancer screenings are proven to beneficial in medical research in this age group. Above this age we do not have enough evidence that we can achieve definite benefit. The main concern is that the risks from treatment and other medical conditions begin to outweigh the benefits of screening from 75 years and over. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung cancer screenings are for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. This is because they are at a higher risk of lung disease or lung cancer than people who have never smoked. However, anyone can get lung cancer so if you have any concerns or are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP immediately.

Currently, lung cancer screening is for people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. This is because they are at a higher risk of getting lung cancer. There is currently no proof from medical research that an inherited risk of cancer alone can reliably inform who more at risk of having lung cancer is. Smoking history is proven to be the best measure for identifying who should have a lung check because former/current smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer. However, we do take family history into account in the lung cancer screening risk assessment.

Yes, you should still take up the invite for a Lung Health Check appointment when you receive it, even if you have a lung disease and undergo regular tests. Screening aims to detect lung cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages, which may be missed with regular tests alone.

During your Lung Health Check appointment, please tell the patient care advisor about any tests you have had in the last 12 months.

It is important for your GP smoking record to be accurate. If you have told your GP that you have smoked or have ever smoked, it will be noted in your medical records. You can check your medical records by accessing them online via the NHS App. You can also ask about your smoking record next time you speak to or have an appointment at your GP practice. If you do not have a smoking record, we will still let you know about the Lung Cancer Screening Programme. If you have smoked in the past, the letter will tell you how to book a Lung Health Check.

For West Sussex, visit Quit4Wellbeing:
provided by West Sussex County Council
There is an online form or you can call 0330 2227980.

For East Sussex visit One You
or contact them on 01323404600 or email hello@oneyoueastsussex.org.uk

For Brighton and Hove, visit Healthy Lifestyles Team or contact them on 01273 294589 or email healthylifestyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk

For Surrey, visit One You Surrey
Email address: hello@oneyousurrey.org.uk
Phone number: 01737 652168

For Hampshire, visit Smokefree Hampshire
Email: hello@smokefreehampshire.co.uk
Phone number: 0800 772 3649 | 01264 563039

For Berkshire, visit Smokefreelife Berkshire
Phone number: 0800 622 6360 | 0118 449 2026

If you are worried about any of the following symptoms, please contact your GP practice. Do not wait to be invited for lung cancer screening:
• Unexplained persistent cough for three weeks or more
• Unexplained persistent breathlessness
• Fatigue lasting four or more weeks
• Persistent or recurrent chest infection
• Unexplained weight loss
• Appetite loss