Smokers and former smokers are being offered free lung checks in Clifton. It comes as the area is ranked the third highest in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire for smokers.
Targeted Lung Health Checks are being offered to people aged 55 to 74 in Clifton, with the programme moving to other areas of Nottingham later in the year. People are invited for a telephone appointment which may be followed up by a face-to-face appointment and CT scan depending on the information they provide.
The scanning unit is based at Morrisons car park in Clifton. 60% of people from Clifton who have received a letter have taken up their offer of an appointment so far, with 60% of those having been assessed as needing a face-to-face appointment and CT scan.
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Dr Manik Arora, Clifton GP and Clinical Director for the TLHC programme, said: “Lung cancer rarely has symptoms at the earlier stages. As a result, sadly three quarters of patients are diagnosed late. If you are invited for a lung health check, it’s really important to go even if you feel fit and healthy. The check can spot any issues at an earlier stage, making treatment much easier."
Sue Whitehead, from Clifton, received her invitation for a telephone appointment in January. She said: “As soon as the nurse comes on the phone, they put you straight at ease and to be honest make you wonder why you have been worrying at all. You are asked a series of simple questions about your smoking habits past or present, then some general health questions relating mainly to your lungs. Depending on how you answer, the computer works out your qualifying points to see if you go onto the next stage which is a face-to-face appointment with the nurse."
Emma O’Dowd, Respiratory Consultant at Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust added: “This is a real step forwards in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer and early detection offers the best chance of treatment with a cure. Other areas which have been running TLHC programmes for some time have already seen people diagnosed with early lung cancer who have been able to have curative treatment."
Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, said: “I warmly welcome the launching of the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme in our city - starting in Clifton - by the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB.
“I encourage as many of my constituents who are eligible to access the programme - past and current smokers aged 55 to 74 – to do so if they receive a telephone call from ICB healthcare professionals."
As part of the checks, people are also given support from the stop smoking service Stub it! if they would like help to quit. Support is tailored to each person and their smoking patterns. Find out more about the lung health check programme: www.nottslunghealthcheck.nhs.uk
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