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Targeted lung health check

The targeted lung health screening checks are designed to spot any signs of lung health problems early – often before you develop any noticeable symptoms. Early detection could mean that treatment is more straightforward with a higher success rate.

A targeted lung health check is a two-stage process to help clinical staff assess the health of your lungs and is run by a team of specialist nurses and clinicians from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Those who are eligible will receive an invitation to have a lung health check in the post, which will include details on how to respond and consent to participate. If you decide that you would like to take part in the programme, you will first have a telephone consultation with one of our specialist nurses. They will ask you a series of questions to evaluate your risk of developing lung disease through factors such as your age, lifestyle, medical and family history.

If you are identified as somebody who is at an increased risk of developing lung disease you will be invited for a CT scan to produce a detailed image of your lungs. If you are invited to have a scan, you will be asked to travel to your scan appointment.

Call the Targeted Lung Healthcare Team on: 01296 322244 

Even if you are not eligible for a lung health check, it is still very important that you look after your lungs by being active, stopping smoking, eating healthily, and informing your GP if you suffer with any of the following symptoms that are new or unusual to you, such as:

  • A new or persistent cough or a change to your normal cough.
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained tiredness or sudden/excessive weight loss
  • An ache or pain when breathing or coughing

Frequently asked questions:

Please view a list of frequently asked questions related to Targeted Lung Health Checks.

Those who are eligible to take part in the targeted lung health check service must be:

  • aged between 55 and 74
  • a current or former smoker
  • registered to a Buckinghamshire GP.

Lung screening checks are a very important check-up of the overall health of your lungs. You will be invited to participate even if you feel fit and healthy.

The Lung Health Check Programme is part of the NHS Long Term Plan that aims to diagnose early-stage lung disease but will also pick up other lung conditions. Lung conditions, including lung cancer, are estimated to cost wider society around £9.9 billion each year. Respiratory disease affects one in five people in England, and is the third biggest cause of death.

Targeted Lung Health Checks can help to detect and diagnose underlying lung disease at an earlier stage when treatment can be simpler and more successful for a patient. Lung health checks can also help to diagnose other respiratory issues which can also be treated at an earlier stage.

If you feel you may be eligible for a lung health check and have not yet been contacted, please speak with your GP or a member of our team.

The results from your initial assessment will tell us whether you need to have a scan. The need for you to have a low-dose CT scan will depend on whether the answers you gave indicate that you have a higher risk of developing lung disease or another respiratory issue.

The nurse will use your answers to decide one of the following outcomes:

  • No action needed: the results of your telephone assessment may show that you are low risk of developing lung diseases such as cancer and therefore, will not require any further investigations within the targeted lung health check programme. We will write to your GP to inform them of the outcome of your telephone assessment.
  • Having a CT scan: your results may suggest that you have a higher risk of developing lung diseases such as cancer in your lifetime. This is worked out through information you have given us based on your age, lifestyle, medical and family history. We will invite you to have a low-dose CT scan at our Targeted Lung Health Check site. The nurse will help you to decide whether having the CT scan is right for you. If you choose to have a CT scan, a member of our team will contact you to book that in. We will write to your GP inform them of the outcome of your telephone assessment and scan.

Further information and useful links

FAQs: Please view a list of frequently asked questions related to Targeted Lung Health Checks.

You may find useful information on the following websites:

Help to stop smoking

Evidence suggests that smokers are three times more likely to quit smoking successfully if they use NHS support. Here are some links to resources to help you  quit smoking: