A Rossendale man has spoken of his relief at receiving a clean bill of health after being invited to take part in an NHS Targeted Lung Health Check.

Chris Brown, 74, from Helmshore, jumped at the chance to take part in the free health check, described as an ‘MOT for your lungs’ when he was invited in July.

The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) is currently available to current or former smokers in Rossendale, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool aged between 55 and 74 in a bid to help diagnose more people with lung cancer earlier.

Chris, who has not smoked a cigarette in over 40 years, was invited to take part in an initial phone assessment before being offered a low-dose CT scan which showed his lungs were in good working order. 

Chris said: “I haven’t smoked in decades, and I lead a very active life, swimming, walking and going to the gym. I did have a cyst in my lung over 20 years ago which resulted in part of my right lung being removed and I was concerned that I may develop further problems because of it. To have the opportunity to get my lungs checked was something I welcomed.” 

The lung health check takes place in two stages. The first is an initial phone assessment with a specially trained health care professional. If the assessment finds the person to be at high risk, they are offered a low-dose CT scan of the lungs for further investigation. 

Chris added: “The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check was simple, local to me in Rossendale and quick. To be given the all-clear is such a relief and has given me some much-needed reassurance. I would recommend anyone who is invited to take part to say yes. It might just save your life.”  

The TLHC programme in England has seen more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of cancers caught at either stage one or two, giving patients a much better chance of beating the illness. This compares to less than a third of cancers caught at either stage one or two in 2018.

Lancashire and South Cumbria has one of the highest mortality rates for lung cancer in England and more than 17,000 people will be invited to take part in a lung health check in Rossendale alone. 

Dr Neil Smith, GP clinical lead for cancer in Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “The majority of people who say yes to an NHS Targeted Lung Health Check have a similar experience to Chris and are given the all-clear. It can give people valuable peace of mind and where we do find issues, it can help to diagnose cancer and other lung conditions sooner, often when there are no symptoms.”

The programme is due to be rolled out in Burnley in September, with other areas of East Lancashire to follow. For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, please visit: https://lungcheckslsc.co.uk/