People across Kent and Medway aged between 55 and 74, who smoke or used to smoke could be eligible for Lung Cancer Screening.
People aged
55 – 74
Current or former smokers (recorded on medical history)
Registered
with a GP
Living in areas where the programme is available
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer and often doesn’t have symptoms in the early stages.
Attending screening can reassure you that your lungs are healthy, or help to find lung cancer early, when treatment could be simpler and more successful.
Invitations are currently being sent to eligible people in Dartford and across East Kent.
Don’t worry if you haven’t had an invite yet. The service is rolling out in phases across the area.
All eligible people living in Kent and Medway will receive an invite over the next 4 years, as screening becomes available in your area.
Screening is by invitation only.
If you meet the above criteria, you will be sent an invitation via text when we are next in your area. Simply follow the instructions to book your appointment.
You may also receive a text and phone call to help you book your telephone appointment.
There are two parts to the screening process:
1. Telephone ‘lung health check’ appointment
The first stage is a telephone consultation with a nurse. You will be asked to answer some questions about your lifestyle, medical and family history. This information will be used to determine your risk of developing lung cancer.
If you are considered low risk, you will NOT be offered a CT scan, and this is the end of your screening process.
2. CT Scan
If you are considered high risk you will be offered a CT scan to check for early signs of lung cancer. This will be carried out at The North Kent Community Diagnostic Centre.
Telephone appointment where a nurse will go through a series of questions. These questions will determine your risk of developing lung cancer.
If you are considered high risk, you will be offered a low dose CT scan at a convenient location in the community.
If you were deemed high risk, you will be re-invited for a CT scan every 2 years. This will check whether anything has developed since your last CT scan.
Where is Screening in Kent and Medway taking place?
Invites are currently being sent to eligible residents living in the Dartford area.
If you are eligible for a CT scan, this will be carried out at The North Kent Community Diagnostic Centre.
Don’t worry if you live in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley or across East Kent and haven’t received an invite. It will take 2030 for all eligible people to be invited.
Other locations
So far, residents living in the following areas have been invited for screening:
- Canterbury
- Sandwich
- Deal
- Dover
- Folkestone
- Hythe
- New Romney
- Faversham
- Whitstable
Screening will return every 2 years. People who have turned 55 since the last screening round will be sent an invitation in the post.
John’s lung cancer screening story
John, 74 from Dover, was diagnosed with lung cancer through the Kent and Medway screening programme in 2023 – despite having no symptoms.
As a keen cyclist who cycled up to 90 miles a week, John initially dismissed his screening invite. He didn’t think there was any need to go because he felt well and was very active.
Thankfully, after some encouragement from his GP, John went to his appointment and soon after received a diagnosis of stage 1 lung cancer.
John underwent surgery and, because it was caught so early, he didn’t need any further treatment. He and his wife, Pam, are now back on the bikes – although they have invested in electric bikes to get up those big hills!
Follow-up scans – every 2 years
If you are considered high risk and offered a CT scan, you will be invited back for a repeat scan every 2 years up to the ages of 75.
It is important that you attend each time you are invited to check if there have been any changes since your last scan.
You will automatically receive your invite letter for follow-up scans when your next appointment is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I be invited?
You will receive a text message when we invite people in your area. You will also receive an email and a follow-up letter if you do not respond to the initial text message.
Can I attend without being invited?
No. You must receive an invitation to book an appointment.
Please do not turn up at the community diagnostic centre without an appointment, as we will be unable to see you.
When will I get my results?
Once you have had the scan, you will receive a letter or a call with your results within 4 weeks of the CT scan. This will tell you what happens next / when your next scan is due.
Will I get a CT scan?
Not all people will be eligible for a CT scan. This depends on whether you are considered low or high risk in your telephone appointment. Around half of people who attend their first appointment will be offered a CT scan.
Why is lung cancer screening important?
There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage. As a result, sadly 7 in 10 lung cancer patients are currently being diagnosed too late to be cured.
Lung cancer screening helps to find problems early and at a stage when treatment is likely to be simpler and more successful.
- Less than 1% of people who attend an appointment will get a lung cancer diagnosis.
- 76% of lung cancers found through the screening programme are at an early stage – either stage 1 or 2.
- Over 99% of people who attend a screening appointment are reassured that their lungs are healthy.
Have questions about screening?
Click here for more information about lung cancer screening. Alternatively, if you have any questions about lung cancer screening, you can contact our Ask the Nurse service on 0800 358 7200 or email lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org.
If you have any questions about the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley screening programme, please contact the team at:
dgn-tr.lungcancerscreening@nhs.net or 01322 743778
or the East Kent screening programme on:
ekhuft.lungcancerscreening@nhs.net or 01304 222644