Targeted Lung Health Check Programme offering free lung checks to residents in Havering
The national NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, which offers life-saving scans to people aged between 55 and 74 who have ever smoked, has now expanded to Havering.
Residents in Havering who are aged 55-74 and have ever smoked will receive their NHS invite via letter over the coming weeks and months directly from the programme team. This will ask them initially to have a telephone appointment and then, if appropriate, a follow up nurse appointment and low-dose CT scan.
The CT scan takes place in a state-of-the-art, modern and spacious scanning truck. The scan takes less than a minute and provides a check of your lungs. Visit the webpage here for more information: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/tlhc
What is a lung check?
A Lung Heath Check is offered free to people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked, as part of the national NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. It finds out how well your lungs are working and aims to rule out any serious conditions. Often, early problems with the lungs do not cause any symptoms, so it is important to attend even if you are fit and healthy.
Most of the time nothing is found, but if there are any problems with how your lungs are working, such as cancer, finding out early can make treatment simpler and more successful.
A Lung Health Check also aims to promote healthier lifestyles with advice about stopping smoking.
How do I get a lung check?
Lung checks are by invitation only. Our Targeted Lung Health Check team will send out invites via letter. It is really important you follow the instructions in your letter and attend your appointment.
There are three parts to a lung check:
- Your telephone appointment: a chat to decide if a lung check is right for you.
- A face-to-face appointment: to talk in more detail about your health and decide if a scan is right for you.
- A quick, low dose CT lung scan: if a scan is right for you, you will have this at the same time and location as your face-to-face appointment.
More information
Find out more on the webpage here or watch the animated video.