Mum-of-two whose relatives died from lung cancer backs NHS screening

The programme offers screening to people aged 55–74 who smoke or used to smoke.

Despite not having any symptoms, the screening led to a lung cancer diagnosis for Gillian. Thankfully, her cancer was found at an early stage – stage 1 – and was treatable, unlike it had been for her relatives in the past.

Gillian said: “I got an invite through the post because I used to smoke. I gave up five years ago. I didn’t have any symptoms, no cough, but I know it’s important to attend cancer screening. The mobile clinic was just five minutes’ walk from my house so very convenient. I popped into the supermarket to get a loaf of bread too!

“At the clinic the specialist nurse asked me some questions about my family history of lung cancer, so I told them about how my gran, aunty and cousin had all died of lung cancer and that my mum also had lung cancer but didn’t die from it. They also asked about my current health. I had a bit of breathlessness but I had put this down to putting on a bit of weight because of my arthritis making me a bit less active.

“The questions showed I was higher risk and needed a low-dose CT scan. It wasn’t scary – it was fine and pretty quick. There was no queue. I was just directed over a gangway to the neighbouring unit, and they did it there and then. Then I went home.”

A few days later, Gillian got a phone call to say she needed some follow-up tests. She went to the Eccles Community Diagnostics Centre with her husband Chris, where she had breathing tests, another scan, and some blood tests. Later that afternoon she saw the consultant, who told her he suspected she had lung cancer.

Gillian went on to have a biopsy to confirm her diagnosis, and a date was set for her operation. She took part in an exercise programme called – Prehab4Cancer – before her operation to help her prepare for surgery.

Gillian, who is a grandmother-of-one, said: “Prehab was brilliant. It really did help. I’d never been near a gym. But the exercises were exactly what I needed to help me afterwards.”

Gillian a white woman in her 60s sits on a bench by a lake wearing a winter coat with autumn leaves around her

Gillian had her operation on 16 September at Wythenshawe Hospital. A follow-up scan has confirmed she is cancer free.

She said: “I’m now the biggest advocate of lung cancer screening. I tell everyone to go when they get their invite. I just wouldn’t have known otherwise. I didn’t have a cough. I’m so lucky that the NHS screening caught the lung cancer before it progressed.

“My grandmother, my aunty and my cousin have all died from lung cancer. To know it’s not a death sentence any more is just such a Godsend. We are very fortunate to have this screening and I’m telling everyone I know to go along when they get their invite!”

So far, more than 1,200 patients have been diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of NHS Lung Cancer Screening in Greater Manchester. The programme is jointly organised by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and supported by the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. 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.

For more information about Lung Cancer Screening, please visit www.mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck. If you have concerning symptoms, you should speak to your GP who can refer you for tests if needed. More information on symptoms of lung cancer is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms.