Manchester is first region to benefit from new life-saving lung checks

Residents in North and East Manchester are the first in the country to benefit from new life-saving lung health checks.

Manchester has highest rate of lung cancer deaths

According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, Manchester has the highest rate of deaths from lung cancer in the UK. This has prompted Manchester University NHS Trust and Manchester Health & Care Commissioning, to launch the 'Manchester Lung Health Check' – which aims to improve survival rates for lung cancer by providing quick and easily accessible screenings for those who are at higher risk of lung conditions.

The Manchester Lung Check programme follows a hugely successful pilot in which early diagnosis rates of lung cancer quadrupled. In just 42 days, 46 people were diagnosed with lung cancer during its early stages, when the condition is most treatable, even though many of those diagnosed had no real symptoms.

This lack of symptoms often results in lung cancer being diagnosed at stages three or four, by which time the condition is much more difficult to treat.

Out of the 46 individuals diagnosed during the pilot, 90% went on to receive curative treatment.

How do the health checks work?

Those who are registered with a GP in north or east Manchester and are between the ages of 55 and 80 will receive a personal invitation asking them to call and book a check at one of the high-tech mobile screening units which will be based at four locations across north and east Manchester for the next nine months.

Each screening takes around thirty minutes, during which patients will be asked a series of questions about their general health and will have their height, weight and blood pressure measured, before they are asked to breathe into a tube, known as a spirometer.

A specialist will then decide if the patient needs an ultra-low dose CT scan, which can be carried out immediately in the purpose-built mobile units.

Dr Richard Booton, clinical director of lung cancer and thoracic surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Lung cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Manchester and a major issue in the treatment of lung cancers is that they are often not identified until a later stage, at which point the chances of survival lower significantly."

Where are the checks taking place?

The first round of lung health checks is currently taking place at the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City FC’s football ground).

Once screening sessions at the Etihad Stadium are complete, the unit will move onto other community-based locations across the north of Manchester.

The other lung health check locations are as follows: Tesco Cheetham Hill, Asda Harpurhey and Tesco Failsworth.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the unit will stay in each place for around two months at a time, or until all the checks have been completed.

The Lung Health Check unit, currently at the Etihad Stadium, is open Monday to Saturday from 8am until 8pm. For more information on the Manchester Lung Health Check, please see: mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck.