In a pioneering move towards addressing preventable deaths, the UK's Health Secretary has declared that lung cancer screening using low-dose CT (LDCT) scans will roll out across the country for those at high risk of smoking and ex-smoking aged 55–74 from 2025, completing by 2029. The scheme, which was declared after successful pilot schemes, will identify lung cancer when it is easiest to treat.
/*From Pilots to National Rollout*/
The NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme began with pilot ‘lung health checks’ in high-risk areas such as North Rhondda and parts of London starting in 2019. The SUMMIT study (April 2019–May 2021), which included 12,773 participants, revealed that 2% were diagnosed with lung cancer with nearly 80% identified at early stages (I/II), and 90% of those received potentially curative treatment.
Based on this evidence, and following UK National Screening Committee guidance issued in June 2023, the NHS has expanded the programme to eligible individuals across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
/*Why Early Detection Matters*/
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the UK, with nearly 49,000 new cases and around 35,000 deaths annually. The five-year survival rate remains low (around 15%), primarily due to late-stage diagnosis.
However, CT screening in high-risk populations has shown a ~20% reduction in mortality, according to the U.S. National Lung Screening Trial, which involved over 53,000 participants.
The positive outcomes from the SUMMIT study further justify national implementation.
/*Voices from the Frontline*/
Professor Sam Janes, lead investigator of the SUMMIT study, emphasized the trial’s critical impact: "It provided vital information which influenced the National Screening Committee’s recommendations."
In Wales, Ms Heather Lewis welcomed the scheme, stating: "Lung cancer is the largest single cancer killer in Wales. Screening gives us a chance to catch it early."
Welsh First Minister Jeremy Miles added that the programme "is at the forefront of detecting lung cancer earlier and improving outcomes."
/*Ongoing Challenges and Future Steps*/
Despite the promising data, several challenges remain. LDCT scans carry a false-positive rate of 8–49%, which may result in unnecessary anxiety or procedures.
Ensuring equitable access is crucial, especially for disadvantaged communities and ethnic minorities. British Bangladeshi men already show the highest lung cancer incidence in England.
Another concern is integrating smoking cessation a key feature in Wales’s programme into all regions to reduce long-term risk.
With full rollout expected by 2029, the NHS anticipates conducting approximately one million scans per year, detecting early-stage lung cancers in an estimated 9,000 people annually potentially saving thousands of lives.