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Text messages used in lung cancer pilot

Owen Shipton
BBC News, Leicester
BBC Peter Moult prepares to have a chest X-ray at Coalville Community Hospital,BBC
The pilot allows people to request a chest X-ray without needing to see a GP first

A pilot to detect lung cancer early in Leicestershire has led to 247 chest X-rays.

In the trial, patients in Coalville were sent text messages with a list of symptoms.

They can then request an X-ray to check whether they potentially have lung cancer without needing to see a GP first.

The pilot has diagnosed two confirmed cases of lung cancer, one of which was caught at an early stage.

Peter Moult looks into the camera while wearing a hospital gown at Coalville Community Hospital
After requesting an X-ray, Peter Moult had a follow-up CT scan

Peter Moult had a cough when he received a text message from his practice.

The 66-year-old joined the pilot scheme, which led to an X-ray and a CT scan.

He was told he had peribronchial thickening, which was now being treated with an inhaler.

"The scheme is fantastic. It's something that everybody should take up," said Peter.

"If nothing else, get the assurance that you've got the all-clear."

Peter Moult prepares to have a chest X-ray at Coalville Community Hospital
The pilot has led to five follow-up X-rays and five follow-up CT scans

The pilot is being run in Coalville and surrounding areas to support people in more rural and deprived communities with high numbers of smokers.

The local Integrated Care Board worked with the University Hospitals of Leicester and the East Midlands Cancer Alliance to organise it.

The scheme is open to people aged 40 or over who are registered with a GP practice in Coalville.

They must not have had a chest X-ray or CT scan in the last three months.

So far, 263 patients have contacted the booking line and five people have had follow-up CT scans.

People walk through the Belvoir Shopping Centre in Coalville
The pilot is currently only available to patients registered at GP practices in Coalville

One of the two patients diagnosed with lung cancer was Michael Specht.

"I'd had a cough for over seven weeks and it was constant," said the 75-year-old from Coalville.

"If it wasn't for the text message and this service, I wouldn't have sought help and who knows where I'd be."

Mr Specht was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and has started his treatment.

Dr Ben Noble smiles and looks into the camera at Coalville Community Hospital
Dr Ben Noble says the pilot also used leaflets in waiting rooms and pharmacies

"We wanted to bring in a scheme where patients can have an investigation without seeing a GP in a bid to try and increase these important diagnoses," said Dr Ben Noble who is cancer lead for the East Midlands Cancer Alliance.

"If you do get one of these texts and you do have the qualifying symptoms, please call that number because lung cancer is so much more survivable if we can diagnose it early."

The local NHS says it will review the pilot after its initial term.

Dr Noble says he would like to expand the service to other areas in the East Midlands.

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