Journal: Nature medicine
This publication describes implementation outcomes from the national NHS England Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, now the country’s Lung Cancer Screening Programme.
Key design features:
- Population: Adults 55–74 years with any history of smoking.
- Eligibility: Based on multivariable risk models guiding invitation for low-dose CT (LDCT).
- Delivery model: Regionally federated clinical infrastructure with centralized national strategic, clinical, and economic frameworks.
Main findings (to March 2025):
- Scale: >2 million people invited.
- Cancers detected: 7,193 lung cancers diagnosed.
- Stage shift:
- 63.1% at TNM stage I.
- 12.6% at TNM stage II.
- Population impact: Increased proportion of early-stage lung cancer nationally over 5 years, with particularly marked gains in more socioeconomically deprived regions.
Implementation insights:
- Feasibility and scalability: Demonstrates feasibility and scalability of LDCT screening at national level, including reaching high-risk and underserved groups.
- Centralized approach: Centralized protocols and strong project management enabled rapid roll-out.
- Persistent issue: Inequalities in participation remain and need further targeted interventions.
Implications:
- Supports broader adoption of organized lung cancer screening both across the UK and internationally.
- Provides a practical model—risk-based selection, centralized governance, and regional delivery—for adaptation to other healthcare systems.