Smokers and former smokers aged 55-74 years based at doctors’ surgeries in parts of in Reddish, Brinnington, Woodley or Bredbury will be invited for a lung health check later this summer (due to start 10 July 2024).
The quick, free checks can help find lung cancer at an early stage – before you might have any symptoms – when it is much more treatable and help save lives.
Most visitors to the lung health checks will get reassurance that everything is OK.
The lung health check mobile clinic will be based at a car park for 55-74 year old former and current smokers from Reddish, Brinnington, Woodley and Bredbury to get their quick, free MOT.
The will checks are available to smokers and former smokers aged 55-75 based at the following GP practices:
- Reddish Family Practice
- Woodley Village Surgery
- Heaton Norris Medical Practice
- Park View Group Practice
- Alvanley Family Practice
- Brinnington Surgery
- Bredbury Medical Centre
- Vernon Park Surgery
People who are invited for a lung health check will firstly talk to specialist nurse where they will answer some health and lifestyle questions which will determine whether they are ‘high’ or ‘low’ risk.
If deemed high risk, they will be offered a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan of their lungs for further investigation on the same day and be enrolled into the programme.
Dr Monica Saksena Joye, said: “Lung Health Checks help the NHS to spot any lung cancer symptoms earlier, when it is much more treatable.
“If you’re registered with a doctor mentioned on the list from the Reddish, Brinnington or Bredbury areas, are a smoker or used to smoke, you’ll be sent an invite through the post or via text message.”
Karen McEwan, Clinical Lead for Cancer in Stockport, said: “Please do come along for your appointment. You’ll have a chat with a nurse and fill out a questionnaire to look at your risk. About half of the people who visit may also need a low-dose scan which we will also do on the truck.
“It will most likely offer you some reassurance. But it could save your life!”
The Lung Health checks in Reddish, Brinnington, Woodley or Bredbury are the latest phase of the Greater Manchester Targeted Lung Health Check Programme – a drive to help improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and save more lives. The programme is jointly organised by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. There are plans to expand the programme further in the coming months and years to ensure that all eligible participants are invited.
So far more than 500 patients have been diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of the Lung Health Checks in Greater Manchester, however, almost 80% of these patients were diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 meaning they were more likely to be eligible for curative treatment.
People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.
Eligible people will be contacted by letter or via text message.
If you received your invitation but missed your appointment, please call 0161 529 0900 to rebook.
For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme please visit www.mft.nnhs.uk/lunghealthcheck
If you have concerning symptoms you should speak to your GP who will be able to refer you for tests if needed. You can read about symptoms of lung cancer here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms/