Supporting the introduction of Lung Health Checks in Wales

Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Wales and the leading cause of cancer deaths. Late stage diagnosis has a significant impact on mortality. When lung cancer is diagnosed at Stage 1, there is an 85 per cent chance of survival, compared to just 15 per cent when identified at Stage 4

In 2022 the UK National Screening Committee recommended that the four nations move towards implementation of targeted lung cancer screening with integrated smoking cessation service provision. Lung Health Checks (LHCs) are a targeted health intervention which includes low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for participants identified as “high risk”.

In Wales, Lung Health Checks were piloted in the North Rhondda area of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Individuals aged 60 to 74 who are current or former smokers from selected doctors' surgeries in the area were invited for a Lung Health Check: a telephone triage followed, where appropriate, by a CT scan.

Moondance Cancer Initiative supported this work by funding a Lung Cancer Navigator. The navigator guided people through the lung cancer clinical pathway efficiently, ensuring that patients received the appropriate clinical care as early as possible. They also supported the evaluation of the service to inform the future wider roll out across Wales.

By the end of 2023, 500 patients had received their initial scan and many more had had an exploratory conversation over the phone determining that they did not need a scan at this stage. During 2024, those that required them, were invited back for 3-month and 12-month check-up scans while a small cohort of patients who did not attend for their initial scan were also invited back.

This life-changing programme of work has led to several diagnoses lung cancers, many of which were early stage. Two of these patients have shared their story of being diagnosed, treated and cured of lung cancer thanks to this operational pilot. Read their story here.

In September 2024, the evaluation of the operational pilot was published. The results demonstrated that lung cancer screening can be delivered effectively within the Welsh healthcare system and would significantly improve lung cancer outcomes across the country. The findings from the pilot will now help to inform the work being led by Public Health Wales to scope the future of lung cancer screening in Wales. You can read the full evaluation report here. 

Find out more about the roll out of Lung Health Checks in Wales here.