Lung Health Checks Explained
Targeted lung health checks are a simple check up to see how well your lungs are working. They are currently available in selected areas of England for people aged 55-74 years old who have ever smoked and registered with a participating GP practice in the area.
There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage. Targeted lung health checks help us get ahead of lung cancer, finding lung cancer at its earliest stage when it is easier to treat with curative intent, often before you have any symptoms.
We like to think of these health checks as an MOT for your lungs. We get our cars checked every year to make sure everything is ok. Our lungs work hard every minute of our lives so it makes sense to do the same for ourselves. Most people who attend an appointment feel very reassured.
Where are the lung health checks?
Lung Health Checks are currently available in some parts of England. These checks are gradually being rolled out across the country. We are also continuing to campaign for a national lung cancer screening programme.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter or phone call from your GP or a local NHS service inviting you to an appointment.
- You are aged between 55 and 74
- You are a current or former smoker (and this is recorded on your medical history)
- You are registered with a GP surgery
- You live in an area where there is a lung health check.