Eligible people will receive an invitation in the post.
Dr Brian Lewis, a GP and Clinical Director for Oldham Central Primary Care Network, 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 Oldham area, are a smoker or used to smoke either shish or cigarettes, you’ll be sent an invite through the post or via text message.
“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 are also being rolled out across Greater Manchester in 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.
So far more than 700 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.
The checks were rolled out to eligible people based at GP practices in the Oldham Central Primary Care Network in July 2024. This included: St Mary’s Medical Centre; The Chowdhury Practice; Oldham Family Practice; Hopwood House Medical Practice; Alexandra Group Med Practice; Greenbank Medical Practice; Jalal Practice; Perkins Practice; Glodwick Medical Practice; John Street Medical Practice and Lindley House Health Centre.
The checks have also already been offered to eligible people based at GP practices in the Oldham South Primary Care Network which included: Oldham Medical Services; Quayside Medical Practice; Medlock Medical Practice; Hill Top Surgery and Hollinwood Medical Practice.
