Supermarket car park scans detect 10,000 lung cancers

Supermarket car park scans help NHS detect more than 10,000 lung cancers

More than 10,000 cases of lung cancer have been detected through NHS screening units based in supermarket car parks, sports stadiums and other community locations across England.

The figures come from the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme, which was introduced in 2019 in areas with high rates of lung cancer. The programme offers checks to people aged 55 to 74 who currently smoke or have smoked in the past.

According to NHS England, 10,678 lung cancers have now been identified through the scheme, with more than three quarters diagnosed at stages one or two, when treatment is most likely to be successful. People whose lung cancer is detected at an early stage are almost 13 times more likely to survive for five years than those diagnosed after the disease has progressed.
 

Taking scanners out into the community

The programme uses mobile scanning units positioned in familiar community settings, making it easier for people to attend appointments without travelling to hospital. Individuals identified as being at higher risk are offered a low-dose CT scan to look for early signs of disease.

More than 3.3 million people have been invited for a lung health check since the programme began, and over 800,000 have gone on to receive a scan.

Health leaders say the approach is helping to reach people who may otherwise not come forward for testing, including those living in more deprived areas. NHS data suggests that more than a third of lung cancers diagnosed through the programme in England’s most disadvantaged communities have been identified at an early stage.
 

Part of the National Cancer Plan

The Government’s National Cancer Plan includes a commitment to expand lung cancer screening across England by 2030. NHS England estimates that more than six million people will eventually be invited for checks, potentially leading to the diagnosis of up to 50,000 cancers.

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in England, accounting for around 26,000 deaths each year. Smoking is responsible for most cases, although passive smoking and exposure to certain gases and chemicals can also increase risk.

The NHS is encouraging anyone who receives an invitation for a lung health check to attend, even if they feel well and have no symptoms. Lung cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making screening an important tool for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
 

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