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From February 2025, the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme became known as Lung Cancer Screening.

The aim of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme is to find lung cancer earlier, often before symptoms develop. This can widen the treatment options available and improve patient outcomes.

A lung health check is offered to people between the ages of 55 and 74 who smoke or have smoked in the past.  This group are at greater risk of lung cancer.

NHS England’s ambition is to have the Lung Cancer Screening Programme rolled out to all eligible patients by 2029. Read more here: NHS lung cancer screening

Latest data shows 402 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer since lung cancer screening was first launched across Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance in summer 2022. Three-quarters of patients are being diagnosed at Stage 1 and 2. 

Lung cancer screening has taken place in Aldershot, Bexhill, Bracknell, Brighton and Hove, Crawley, Farnborough, Hastings, Horley, Horsham, Peacehaven and Newhaven, Redhill, Slough, Tandridge and District, and Yateley.  Patients are recalled every two years.

People who are aged between 55 and 74 who smoke or who have smoked in the past will automatically be invited for a lung health check when the project reaches their area. 

Find more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Programme by clicking on the button below. There is also a handy GP search function so patients can find out when lung screening is coming to them. 

Surrey and Sussex Lung Cancer Screening
This is an infographic showing that since June 2022, 312 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer through the Lung Cancer Screening Programme across the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance footprint.

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The infographic on the left explains the steps of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme and who is eligible.

Click on the image to download and use in patient newsletters to explain lung cancer screening.  

Smoking cessation support for your patients 

Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer in the UK, and smoking rates in the most deprived parts of the country are at least triple those in the least deprived. Smoking causes at least 16 different types of cancer and more than six in 10 lung cancer cases in the UK (Source: Cancer Research UK).

All smokers who are invited to have lung cancer screening will be offered support to quit.  Find local support for your patients here:  

For West Sussex, it is Quit4Wellbeing 

There is an online form or call 0330 2227980

For East Sussex, it is One You East Sussex 

Call 01323404600 or email hello@oneyoueastsussex.org.uk

For Brighton and Hove, it is the Healthy Lifestyles Team/Help to stop smoking 

Call 01273 294589 or email healthylifestyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk

For Surrey, it is One You Surrey

Call 01737 652168 or email hello@oneyousurrey.org.uk

For Hampshire, it is Smokefree Hampshire

Call 0800 772 3649 or 01264 563039

Email: hello@smokefreehampshire.co.uk

For Berkshire, it is Smokefreelife Berkshire

Call 0800 622 6360 or 0118 449 2026

Back to Prevention & early diagnosis
A patient's experience

Slough resident, Pete Barrett, 70, a former smoker, was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer picked up through the Lung Cancer Screening Programme and follow up tests.

He had a lobectomy (a surgical procedure where a lobe of the lung is removed) with no further treatment required to date. Listen to Pete speak about his experience here.

A patient's experience

Click on the image below to read Ginnie Walker's story. She was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer following a lung screening in Crawley.

A patient's experience 

Click on the video below to hear Mel talk about her experience of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme after receiving an invite to take part. She attended her CT scan in a supermarket car park in Horley, Surrey.