SWAG hits 50,000 milestone in Lung Cancer Screening scans

SWAG Cancer Alliance have reached a major milestone in its Lung Cancer Screening programme, delivering 50,000 lung cancer scans since the service began in 2022.

To date, the programme has invited more than 145,000 people to take up a free Lung Health Check, with over 92,000 attending appointments. As a result, more than 400 lung cancers have been diagnosed, with 76% detected at Stage 1 or 2, when treatment is more effective and survival outcomes are significantly improved.

This regional progress comes as the Department of Health and Social Care recently announced that lung cancer screening will be rolled out nationally, following Government approval of a targeted national programme. The national rollout aims to ensure earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes for people across England.

Julie Frost, Operations Manager at InHealth, which delivers the Lung Health Checks on behalf of SWAG across the region, said:

“We’re delighted to have hit this significant milestone of 50,000 scans across SWAG. To have diagnosed over 400 lung cancers since we started in 2022 is an incredible achievement – these are cancers that may have otherwise gone undetected for a long time, but by catching them early through a free lung health check, we are able to improve early diagnosis rates and outcomes for patients across the region.”

The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is designed to identify lung cancer early, often before symptoms appear. The service is available to people aged 55 to 74 who currently smoke or have smoked in the past. Eligible individuals receive an invitation letter through the post, followed by a telephone assessment, a nurses assessment and, where appropriate, a low‑dose CT scan.

To increase accessibility and uptake, the programme is being delivered right across the SWAG region, often using a mobile scanning unit that travels into communities, supermarket car parks, and other local venues. This makes it easier for people to attend appointments without needing to travel far from home.

This milestone marks significant progress in improving early diagnosis and reducing inequalities in lung cancer outcomes across Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire.

To find out more about the Lung Cancer Screening programme, visit: Lung Cancer Screening – SWAG Cancer Alliance