The NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme has now diagnosed more than 500 people with lung cancer across Surrey and Sussex since it began rolling out in the region four years ago, and more than three-quarters of those cancers were found at stage one or two, when treatment options are greatest.

Over that time more than 171,000 eligible people have been invited, over 100,000 lung health checks have been carried out, and more than 45,000 people at higher risk have been offered a low-dose CT scan.

Dr Mark Ingram, Consultant Radiologist and a member of Guildford Radiology Group, is co-clinical director of Lung Cancer Screening at Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance. He stresses that early-stage lung cancer often causes few or no symptoms, so people who are invited should take up the offer even if they feel perfectly well, because finding it early can mean treatment that aims to cure.

Who is eligible?

• People aged 55 to 74 who are registered with a GP and are current or former smokers
• You will be contacted automatically by letter when the programme reaches your area – you do not need to contact your GP
• You will first have a short lung health check with a patient care advisor, and may then be offered a low-dose CT scan in a mobile unit close to home
• Results are sent by letter, and the clinical team will contact anyone who needs further tests

The checks can also pick up other lung conditions, and people who smoke can be offered support to stop.

Worried about symptoms?

Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have symptoms such as a cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, breathlessness or unexplained weight loss, do not wait for an invitation – please see your GP.

Private respiratory assessment

If you are concerned about your lungs and would like a private specialist opinion, Dr Jonathan Dakin, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital, can assess you and advise whether any imaging or other investigations are needed. Contact details are on his Guildford Respiratory website.

Find out more on the Surrey and Sussex Lung Cancer Screening Programme website, and read the full announcement from NHS Surrey and Sussex.

Royal Surrey’s Breast Unit can now offer contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), following an upgrade of one of its mammography machines with specialist software and equipment.

CEM produces clearer, more detailed images than a standard mammogram, helping radiologists detect and stage breast cancer more accurately. For many patients it is a quicker and more comfortable alternative to breast MRI, and in newly diagnosed patients it can show additional areas of disease that help guide surgery and treatment planning.

Royal Surrey is also one of the first hospitals in the UK licensed to perform CEM-guided biopsies. Patients who would previously have travelled to London for this procedure can now have it locally in Guildford, reducing delays and worry.

The £77,000 project was funded by supporters of Royal Surrey Charity, including more than £18,000 raised by Guildford Golf Club.

Dr Aneet Sian, Lead Breast Radiologist at Royal Surrey and a member of Guildford Radiology Group, says the improved image quality is already helping the team find additional disease earlier and plan treatment more effectively.

Read the full story on the Royal Surrey Charity website.