Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is celebrating its 35th anniversary by visiting 10 Downing Street to urge the Government to protect lung cancer screening. The charity wants to ensure the programme continues to save lives — now and for future generations. This is our call for Lung Cancer Screening.
On Wednesday 25 June, representatives from the foundation — including senior management, patients, advocates, NHS teams, and healthcare professionals — will deliver a letter to Downing Street. The letter highlights the impact of lung cancer screening and calls for:
- Inclusion in the National Cancer Plan, meeting NHS England’s goal for full roll-out by March 2030.
- Long-term commitment, so the programme remains in place for future generations.
Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said:
“We are thrilled to be invited to 10 Downing Street to mark our 35th anniversary.
“When we founded the charity in 1990, lung cancer screening was just a dream. Now it saves thousands of lives every year.
“We must keep the roll-out on track, implement full coverage across England by 2030, and safeguard the programme’s future. That way, more people can survive lung cancer and live long, healthy lives.”
The Impact of Screening
Lung cancer screening has been rolling out across England for six years. So far, 76% of people diagnosed through screening caught their lung cancer early, when treatment can be successful. By comparison, 61% of people outside the screening programme receive a later-stage diagnosis, when curative treatment is no longer possible.
Jackie Head, from Chalkwell, Southend-on-Sea, credits lung screening with saving her life. She now joins Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation to help others benefit in the same way.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was diagnosed. I almost skipped my first appointment because I felt so well. I’m extremely fit, do endurance training, and even climbed Everest Base Camp.
“My lungs are my strength, so I never expected lung cancer. My father died from it, and my mother lives with incurable disease. Without screening, I don’t know what might have happened.
“My story shows why screening is so important in our fight against lung cancer. I had no idea this was happening to me and without this intervention, who knows what the outcome might have been.”
Jackie Head, lung cancer screening advocate
Looking to the Future
Paula Chadwick concluded:
“We will continue to protect lung cancer screening and improve early diagnosis for everyone.”
“We thank Ashley Dalton MP for hosting our anniversary event at 10 Downing Street. This milestone gives us the opportunity to recognise the hard work behind making screening happen.”
“Screening isn’t the full solution, but it is the biggest and most positive step forward in 35 years of fighting lung cancer.