North East England lung cancer check scheme sees thousands come forward

Efforts to improve the early detection of lung cancer have seen over 20,000 people in parts of North East England take health checks over the past two years.

Invites have been sent to people in South Tyneside and Sunderland aged between 55 and 74 and who have at some point smoked.

As part of a national programme, the area’s NHS trust began sending the invites in October 2022.  To date, over 80 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer following scans while other cancers have also been identified.  In all, more than 66,000 people have been invited to take part, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Helen Bone, programme manager, said South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust was “keen to promote it and spread the word.

“It’s something that we have to keep working at.  Just sitting in the hospital and sending out letters isn’t going to get the results that we need, and it’s proven that it’s working, so it’s about educating people as to the risks of smoking.

“Many will say I stopped smoking a long time ago.  It doesn’t matter.  Rule of thumb, if you smoked more than 100 cigarettes in your lifetime, you are eligible.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events including cases involving delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382