The government has today (Thursday 3 July) published its long-awaited 10-year health plan, including a commitment to “fully roll out lung cancer screening for those with a history of smoking.”
While this recognition is a positive step forward, key questions remain about when full implementation will happen—and how it will be funded.
A Step in the Right Direction
Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, welcomed the inclusion:
“We are pleased to see lung cancer screening explicitly recognised in the strategy.
After years of campaigning by experts, charities, clinicians and parliamentarians, this inclusion reflects progress and momentum.”
But Timing and Investment Are Still Unclear
Despite this commitment, the 10-year health plan offers no details on rollout timelines or long-term funding.
“The plan commits to lung screening,” Paula says,
“but it remains silent on when and how fast it will be rolled out—and this detail is most crucial.”
The current NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme aims to reach 100% of high-risk individuals by March 2030. So far, it has reached around 40%. Without a clear timeline—even a phased annual target—the programme risks slowing down, potentially costing lives.
Early Detection Saves Lives
The stakes are high. Right now, 76% of lung cancers caught through screening are found at stage 1 or 2, when they are potentially curable.
Any delay in rollout could reverse this progress.
“We can’t underestimate what’s at stake,” Paula warns.
What Needs to Happen Next
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is calling for two urgent actions:
- Immediate publication of the National Cancer Plan, with clear timelines for lung screening rollout.
- A firm commitment to include lung screening in the NHS’s standard screening programmes by 2030, with funding managed through the section 7a agreement of the NHS Act (or a future equivalent).
We’re Ready to Support the 10-Year Health Plan
“We at Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, alongside the lung cancer community, stand ready to support this plan’s delivery,” says Paula.
“We look forward to the imminent publication of the full cancer plan.”