New access route to lung cancer diagnosis (LUMEN)

Lung cancer is one of the four most common cancers in Wales with around 2400 people diagnosed every year. It is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women.

Many lung cancers in Wales are diagnosed at an advanced stage when they are more difficult to treat. Earlier diagnosis and rapid access to potentially curative treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy are crucial to improve survival.

This project will develop and introduce a nurse-led triage service for lung cancer integrated into current lung cancer pathways. Patients will be able to self refer to the service and the triage nurse will support patients through their journey.

25/07/23 - Project update

The LUMEN service is now on hold while the team at Hywel Dda University Health Board examine the evidence collected across the project period. The evaluation findings will help to determine the next steps of this work. While the LUMEN service is reviewed, anyone who is concerned about the following symptoms is encouraged to contact their GP:

• Cough (more than 3 weeks)
• Losing weight without trying
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarse voice
• Repeated chest infections
• Chest pain
• More tired than usual
• Loss of appetite
• A lung condition with changing symptoms

15/08/22 - Project Update

The Lung Cancer Symptom Assessment Line (LUMEN) is now operational. The phoneline service offers the patients in Hywel Dda University Health Board a new access point for lung cancer diagnosis, allowing anyone who meets the criteria to speak to a specialist nurse directly to discuss their symptoms and be booked in to have a chest X-Ray.

This pilot service is available to anyone registered with a GP in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire aged 40 or over, smokers and ex-smokers with 1 or more of the following symptoms and non-smokers with 2 or more of the following symptoms:

• Cough (more than 3 weeks)
• Losing weight without trying
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarse voice
• Repeated chest infections
• Chest pain
• More tired than usual
• Loss of appetite
• A lung condition with changing symptoms

If you, a family member, or friend are over the age of 40 and have any of the above symptoms, please call 0300 30366142 - Monday to Friday 9am -2pm.