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Time to scan

It's #TimeToScan

Join our call for the government to announce a national lung screening programme.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Yorkshire, with 82 people diagnosed in the region each week.

It is also the single biggest cause of premature death in the region, and every week 58 families lose a loved one to lung cancer.

Lung screening can change this.

That’s why our #TimeToScan campaign is calling for the government to announce a national lung screening programme as quickly as possible.

Clinican operating a CT scanner

What is Time to Scan?

The UK National Screening Committee has recommended that a national lung screening programme should be introduced. We’re calling on the government to put this recommendation into action.

Currently, less than half of people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive one year after being diagnosed. That’s because many people do not develop symptoms when lung cancer is in the early stages, meaning that it is often diagnosed at a late stage when fewer treatment options are available.

Lung screening can help find cancer before symptoms develop, allowing access to life-saving treatment. 8 in 10 people diagnosed through screening will have early-stage cancer, and nearly 9 in 10 of those diagnosed at an early stage will survive at least one year.

Delivering on the recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee and providing a national lung screening programme will save lives in Yorkshire.

Lung screening in action

The pioneering Leeds Lung Health Check, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, helped prove why we need a national lung screening programme and how it should be delivered.

The world-leading clinical trial delivered lung screening mobile units in community locations across Leeds, offering scans to those at higher risk of lung cancer.

Since its launch in 2018, over 7,000 people have agreed to take part in the study, over 14,000 lung scans have taken place, and over 250 cancers have been diagnosed.

Clinican operating a CT scanner

Life beyond lung cancer: Dorothy's experience

80-year-old Dorothy was diagnosed with lung cancer after attending a scan at the Leeds Lung Health Check.

Dorothy hadn’t experienced any symptoms prior to her diagnosis. However, due to her age and health background, she was eligible to attend a lung health check. Thanks to the scan, her cancer had been found at a very early stage.

“Over New Year, my son had mentioned booking a cruise around the Mediterranean. I didn’t know what to do when I found out I had cancer just a few days later. As soon as I left hospital after my final appointment and I knew I was going to be okay, I told my son to book it. I felt so lucky.”

“Over New Year, my son had mentioned booking a cruise around the Mediterranean. I didn’t know what to do when I found out I had cancer just a few days later. As soon as I left hospital after my final appointment and I knew I was going to be okay, I told my son to book it. I felt so lucky.”

Leeds Lung Health Check Patient
Dorothy sitting down