Lung checks for smokers to try and reduce cancer deaths

Targeted health checks for smokers at risk of lung cancer are to be piloted in Tameside to try and reduce the numbers of people dying from the disease.

Bosses revealed that one in six people in the Tameside and Glossop clinical commissioning group (CCG) area still smoke, which is a major cause of early deaths.

NHS England are supporting ten sites across England to put into place a targeted lung health check service over a four year period from 2019 to 2023. 

In Greater Manchester, Tameside has been selected as the trial area, which is to be launched on the ground in January after being signed off by the strategic commissioning board on November 27.

The funding for the service is coming from a national level and is estimated to cost £6.3 million, with a further £55k for a project manager.

The lung checks will be based within communities and delivered on a mobile unit sited within neighbourhoods. 

Director of public health, Jeanelle de Gruchy told members of the health board the borough had been chosen because of its ‘high prevalence’ of smokers to be the pilot site.

“We have got a very high smoking prevalence in Tameside and Glossop,” she said.

“And I am sure all of you are aware that smoking is the largest risk factor for lung cancer, in fact about 95pc of lung cancer is down to smoking alone. 

“Lung cancer itself is quite prevalent and it’s a major cause of early death in Greater Manchester, and Tameside and Glossop.

“At the moment we have about one in six people still smoking in Tameside and Glossop – that is a lot of people and a lot of concern.”

She said that currently the CCG supports people cut down and quit smoking which is the ‘best thing’ to prevent lung cancer and deaths from lung cancer.

“This programme we are now introducing is in addition to that, and it’s saying if people are going to smoke and are at increased risk of lung cancer, can we see if we can find them ahead of time,” she added.

“So people get invited to the unit as near as possible to where they live.

“When they come for their lung health check they get further information and can make an informed decision.”

People who attend the mobile units will be tested for their risk of lung cancer, which can include a CT scan, although bosses admit there is a risk the radiation from frequent scans might cause lung damage.

The programme is intended to increase identification of lung cancer and support diagnosis at an even earlier stage, as health chiefs say the chances of survival are better the earlier lung cancer is diagnosed.

It’s hoped that there will be a range of improved outcomes from the checks, including increased one year survival and a reduction in the number of preventable deaths.