PEOPLE across Staffordshire can now access potentially life-saving lung cancer screening following the roll out of a programme across the county.
The milestone means eligible residents in communities throughout the county can now benefit from screening closer to home, helping to detect lung cancer earlier when treatment is more likely to be successful.
So far, more than 112,000 people have been invited for a Lung Health Check, with around 78,000 attending an appointment and approximately 37,000 referred for a CT scan as part of ongoing efforts to improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis.
The programme has identified 640 lung cancers, with 76% diagnosed at stage one or two, when there are more opportunities for successful treatment.
Janina Barnett, Staffordshire Lung Cancer Screening Programme manager, said:
"Completing the rollout across Staffordshire is a hugely important milestone because it means eligible communities across the county can now access lung cancer screening.
"From the outset, our ambition has been to make Lung Health Checks as accessible as possible, taking screening into local communities and helping to overcome some of the barriers that can prevent people from accessing healthcare.
"This achievement has only been possible because of the commitment of colleagues and partners across Staffordshire, as well as the thousands of local people who have responded to their invitation and taken part."
The programme is aimed at those who have smoked and are aged between 55 and 74. During their appointment, participants discuss their respiratory health and lifestyle with a healthcare professional, with those who meet certain criteria invited for a low-dose CT scan to look for early signs of cancer.
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