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Thousands of lung cancer cases detected in lorry clinics

BBC A large white and orange lorry trailer with the words 'Targeted Lung Health Check Programme' painted in blue on the side, with an illustration of a pair of lungs next to it, parked up in a Tesco's car park in Greater Manchester.BBC
An NHS mobile lung-cancer screening clinic in Gorton, Manchester.

A lung-cancer screening programme that sees mobile clinics visit local communities in England has detected the disease earlier in more than 5,000 people.

Specially adapted lorries have been visiting supermarkets, football grounds and town centres in areas with the highest rates of the disease, as part of the biggest initiative of its kind in NHS history.

Since the programme's launch, in 2019, 5,037 lung cancers have been detected, with 76% of those at the earliest stages of the disease.

People are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years if their cancer is detected early, experts say.

A 67 year old bald man with large, dark framed glasses, looking directly at the camera, weraing a navy blue puffer gilet and a green top, standing in the corridor of the scanning lorry.
Phil Bennett's stage-one lung cancer was detected after he was seen at a mobile screening clinic in Manchester

Phil Bennett, from Droylsden, Manchester, counts himself lucky.

At first, he ignored a letter inviting him to be screened at one of the mobile clinics.

He had no symptoms and was too busy with work as a self-employed decorator.

But when he did take up the offer, it was discovered he had stage-one lung cancer.

And its early detection made a huge difference to his chances of beating the disease.

'Very unlucky'

“Just go and have it done for peace of mind - or if you need treatment, it’ll be sorted straight away," Mr Bennett says.

"Don’t ignore it. I was very lucky. If you get the invite, you must go along and have it checked. It’s worth it in the end. It could save your life.”

Noticeable symptoms

The programme focuses on 55-74-year-old current and past smokers, who are offered a health check and, if needed, a scan.

But experts stress NHS staff are there to offer help and advice - not lecture people about smoking.

Lung cancer does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until it has spread through the lungs or into other parts of the body.

And it is the third commonest type of cancer in the UK - leading to about 35,000 deaths each year.

Symptoms include:

  • a long-standing, worsening cough
  • coughing up blood
  • persistent breathlessness
  • continuing tiredness or lack of energy
  • unexplained loss of weight or appetite

And anyone with any of these symptoms, should visit their GP straight away.

Dr Balata is a middle aged man with dark hair and wire-framed glasses, wearing a blue jacket and a pale pink shirt, looking at the camera. He is standing in front of a large white semi-circular machine that is a scanner in one of the mobile screening lorries.
Dr Haval Balata is a consultant respiratory physician at Withenshaw Hospital

Anyone who misses their initial appointment at a mobile clinic, still has plenty of opportunities to be seen at one, Dr Haval Balata, a consultant respiratory physician at Wythenshawe Hospital, says.

"Life’s busy for everybody - but we do our best to make it convenient and give people ample opportunity," he says.

"So the trucks are typically here for 12 hours a day. We’re here on weekends. And whenever we go to a location, we’re there for a good period of time - it’s not like two days.

"So if you can't make the original appointment, just let us know - ring us and we'll reschedule.”

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation chief executive Paula Chadwick said: "It is fantastic to see that more lives continue to be saved through the targeted lung health checks - and we urge everyone who is invited to take up the opportunity.”

The mobile lung-cancer screening programme should be fully rolled out across the country by 2030.

Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell, said: “Expanding the programme across England will help to catch more cancers - and we hope to see targeted lung screening implemented across the UK so people can benefit from potentially life-saving checks."