Black Country Lung Cancer Screening Programme recognised nationally for faster cancer detection
Hundreds of lives across the Black Country are being saved thanks to a ground-breaking lung cancer screening programme that is detecting cancer earlier than ever before – giving people the best possible chance of successful treatment.
The Black Country Lung Cancer Screening Programme, jointly delivered by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, has reversed a long-standing trend of late diagnosis and is now being recognised nationally as a model for faster cancer detection.
When the programme launched in August 2024, around 70% of lung cancers in the Black Country were diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited. Just months on, that picture has dramatically changed with 74% now at an early stage compared to 30% previously.
Since the programme began:
- 65,106 patients have been invited for a Lung Health Check
- 31,120 people have attended a Lung Health Check appointment
- 14,702 referrals have been made for a low-dose CT scan
- 120 lung cancers have been diagnosed
- Scans have also identified 31 other cancers, including renal, breast, upper GI, colon, lymphoma and ovarian
As part of the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, residents aged 55–74 with a history of smoking are invited by their GP for a telephone Lung Health Check, followed by a face-to-face appointment and CT scan if required. Mobile units operate from convenient community locations across Sandwell and West Birmingham and Dudley.
For people like Michael Higgs from Kingswinford, early detection has been life-changing. He said: “Never in a million years did I think they would find anything, but I had a phone call after the screening. If I hadn’t answered the text message I don’t know where I would be now - it has definitely saved my life.”
69-year-old Noel Cunningham from Great Barr, was referred for screening after feeling unwell following COVID. Noel, who quit smoking after a heart attack in 2017, was diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer affecting his right lung and thoracic lymph nodes. Thanks to screening, surgery and chemotherapy, he has now been given the all-clear.
Noel said: “If I hadn’t been sent for this screening, I would have been none the wiser.
“It’s been a bit of journey, but I’ve had a lot of fantastic people take care of me, and I’m so grateful to the lung cancer screening team.”
The programme’s impact directly supports the ambition of the NHS National Cancer Plan, which will seek to roll out the programme nationally by 2030 and aims for seven in ten people diagnosed with cancer in 2035 to be cancer-free or living well five years on - equivalent to 320,000 more lives saved.
The programme’s results have also helped the Black Country achieve fourth place in England for Faster Diagnosis Standard performance.
Diane Wake, Group Chief Executive for SWBH and DGFT, said: “Everyone knows someone who is affected by Cancer, and behind every statistic is a person and a life that matters. I welcome the National Cancer Plan as a decisive step towards reducing inequalities and making England a world leader in cancer survival.
“Locally, we are already making progress through earlier diagnosis and personalised care, but we know we must go further and faster.”
Anyone previously invited for a Lung Health Check who did not take up the offer can still make an appointment by calling 0121 817 5449 if a Sandwell or West Birmingham resident or 01384 884384 if they are a Dudley resident.