Say yes to your invitation.....
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, but in Wakefield our work to improve lung health has been underway for much longer. As part of a four-year programme, everyone aged 55 to 74 who smokes or has ever smoked will be invited for a free Lung Health Check, helping to detect potential problems early and improve outcomes. For most people, taking part in a Lung Health Check comes down to one conversation. There are no forms to fill in beforehand, no clinic to find your way to, just a phone call at a time that suits you.
We know that people aren’t always sure what to expect but as one patient put it:
“It was easier than I expected, plus I was a bit sceptical how they could check my chest with a stethoscope over the phone. Very pleasant experience.”
We are working in partnership with Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals and West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance to deliver this programme across the district.
The process
The call from GP Care lasts around 20 minutes and a trained healthcare professional asks specific questions about breathing, lifestyle, and medical history. Patients consistently describe it as easy-going rather than clinical:
“The questions asked were easy to answer, and I was honest answering the questions. I was put at ease, and the person I spoke with was very friendly.”
“Clinical nurse was very clear and polite, the call was prompt. She listened to my concerns on my health and gave sound advice.”
Answers to the questions determine if a scan is needed and this is just as straightforward
Most people who have a Lung Health Check won’t need anything further. For those who do, the next step is a low-dose CT scan at Pinderfields, Pontefract or Dewsbury Hospital, whichever is easiest for people to get to. It’s quick and it doesn’t hurt. Patients tend to be surprised by just how little fuss it involves:
“Arrived 10 minutes early, virtually straight in and out in 5 minutes.”
“I like the fact that we get the CT scan to check everything is good.”
Why it's worth saying yes
According to Cancer Research UK, someone diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage, stage 1, has around a 65% chance of surviving five years or more. For someone diagnosed at stage 4, once the cancer has had time to spread, that figure drops to around 5%.
That gap is almost entirely about timing. Lung cancer often causes no symptoms at all in its early stages, which is exactly why a Lung Health Check can matter so much: it’s a chance to look before anything feels wrong, at a point when treatment is far more likely to work.
If you’re invited, it’s worth the call
You don’t need to do anything to arrange a Lung Health Check. If you’re aged 55 to 74, registered with a Wakefield GP practice, and smoke or have smoked in the past, your practice will get in touch by letter or text when it’s your turn. When they do, taking that call could be one of the simplest, most worthwhile 20 minutes you spend this year.
Questions in the meantime? Call the Lung Health Check team on 01924 677 037, email wyicb-wak.gpcwhealthpromotion@nhs.net, or visit lunghealthcheckaware.co.uk.
Survival statistics: Cancer Research UK, based on NHS England data for lung cancer diagnosed 2016 to 2020.
Find out more about Lung Cancer Awareness Month: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/lung-cancer-awareness-month
Find out more about other services offered by GP Care Wakefield.