Lung cancer screening tests nearly 80,000 people

Almost 80,000 people have been tested for lung cancer as part of a public health scheme.

The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) scheme targets 55 to 74 year olds who either smoke or used to smoke.

Since it launched in 2019, the campaign has helped identify more than 800 cases of cancer and said it had now invited every eligible person in the area.

Clinical director Dr Jason Page said: "We're very proud to be able to say everyone eligible for Lung Cancer Screening in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw should now have been invited."

Of the 79,000 people who have had a Lung Health Check, 34,000 were referred on for a CT scan, which helped identify 830 cancer cases.

Of those, 666 were lung cancers, with more than three-quarters of cases identified at an early stage when treatment was much more likely to be successful.

In addition, more than 1,200 people stopped smoking as a result of undergoing the checks.

LCS first launched in Doncaster in 2021 as one of 10 national pilots, before starting in Bassetlaw and Rotherham in 2022, Barnsley in 2023 and Sheffield in 2024.

As there are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage around 70% of people are diagnosed too late to be cured, a spokesperson for the scheme said

Ex-smoker Sandra Sloan, 71, went for her screening in 2021 and discovered she had a tumour on her lung, which she was able to have removed as a result.

She said: "I'm so thankful that I took part in LCS. The sooner you get treatment, the better.

"When you're invited, you should always get checked. It could save your life, and it definitely saved mine."

David Hodson, who gave up smoking 15 years ago, attended a scan at Doncaster's Lakeside shopping centre.

The 69-year-old said: "I smoked twenty a day, pipes, cigars and cigarettes [but] I thought I cant smoke around my grandkids though."

Despite his history of smoking he was keen to take part in the programme.

"I've never got a problem with getting checked up, some are scared but I prefer to know," he said.

A second round of screening is due to begin in Sheffield later this year, South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw LCS said.

It will target people who have turned 55 or moved to the area since 2019, as well as those who did not meet the risk threshold score for a CT scan referral after their first check, and those who did not respond to their initial invitation.