Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my Lung Health Check take?
The Lung Health Check will last between 15 and 20 minutes.
Do I have to come into hospital for my Lung Health Check?
No, the Lung Health Check will be completed over the telephone.
If you are invited for a CT scan, this will generally take place in a mobile unit in a community setting.
What is a CT scan?
CT stands for computerised tomography. It is a special scan that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body.
A CT scan is carried out by a specially trained clinician called a Radiographer.
For the Lung Health Checks, we use a low dose CT, which means that the exposure to radiation is very low, similar to about a year’s worth of radiation from the natural environment.
Will I be offered a CT scan?
People having a Lung Health Check will be risk assessed against set criteria to identify whether or not they are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Only those people who are found to be at a higher risk of lung cancer will be offered a CT scan. This means that not everybody having a Lung Health Check will be offered a CT scan. We expect that around 44% of people having a Lung Health Check will not qualify for a CT scan.
How long will my CT scan take?
Your CT scan appointment will last around 10 minutes.
How long until I receive the results of my CT scan?
The results will be sent to you and your GP within 4 weeks of your scan. If you have not received the results within 6 weeks of your scan, please contact the service using the number in the letter sent to you or find your local service’s number below:
- Newcastle and Gateshead – 0191 282 4888
- Tees Valley – 01642 045566
- South Tyneside and Sunderland – 0191 4041277
- North Cumbria – To be confirmed
- Northumberland – To be confirmed
- North Tyneside – To be confirmed
- County Durham – To be confirmed
I have never smoked but I have been exposed to passive smoking. Can I have a Lung Health Check?
Lung Health Checks are only being offered to people who smoke or used to smoke. If you have any concerns about your breathing, please contact your GP.
Is the information available in other languages?
Yes, we have translated the Participant Information Booklet into several languages already.
| Arabic | Czech | Polish | Somali |
| Bengali | Gujarati | Romanian | Urdu |
| Chinese | Indian-Punjabi | Slovak |
If you need the booklet translated into another language, please contact your local service:
- Newcastle and Gateshead – 0191 282 4888
- Tees Valley – 01642 045566
- South Tyneside and Sunderland – 0191 4041277
- North Cumbria – To be confirmed
- Northumberland – To be confirmed
- North Tyneside – To be confirmed
- County Durham – To be confirmed
I don’t speak English as a first language. Can I have an interpreter at my appointment?
Yes, an interpreter can be arranged for you. Please contact your local Targeted Lung Health Check service to make the staff aware that you need an interpreter and this will be arranged for you.
I have a learning disability. Can I have support at my appointment?
Yes, you can either bring a friend, family member or carer with you to your appointment. Please contact your local Targeted Lung Health Check service to make the staff aware if you need any other additional support, for example a longer appointment. You can access an easy read version of the Participant Information Booklet here.
Does the mobile unit have wheelchair access?
Yes, the mobile unit is wheelchair accessible. If you are offered a CT scan, please make sure staff are aware that you use a wheelchair.
I’m normally eligible for non-emergency patient transport. Will I be able to book this for my Lung Health Check/CT scan?
This will be subject to an assessment by the Patient Transport Booking Service.
I am 75 or older. Am I still eligible for a Lung Health Check?
If you are 75 or older when we are inviting patients from your GP practice to a Lung Health Check, you will not be invited. This is because we can only invite people who will be less than 75 years at the time of their first CT scan.
If you were less than 75 when you entered the programme and you had a CT scan as part of your Lung Health Check, you will be invited for any follow-up CT scan(s) required, even if you are 75 or over when the follow-up scan is booked.
How can I tell the difference between symptoms of lung cancer and COVID-19?
If you have a new cough, please arrange a COVID test. If your COVID test is negative, speak to your GP.
If you have been invited for a CT scan and you have symptoms of COVID, do not attend your appointment.
It is important to look out for anything that is unusual for you. If you notice any of the following, without coronavirus symptoms, please contact your GP as soon as possible:
- Unexplained persistent cough
- Unexplained persistent breathlessness
- Fatigue lasting four or more weeks
- Persistent or recurrent chest infection
- Unexplained weight loss
- Appetite loss
If you are unsure or do not want to attend because of concerns about coronavirus, then please contact the lung health check appointment team to discuss this. A leaflet, which was included in your invitation letter, explains the changes in place to ensure your safety and the safety of lung health check staff during Coronavirus.
Is it safe to attend my CT appointment?
Yes, it is safe to attend your CT appointment. All of our staff will follow any current infection prevention and control measures to minimise risks to patients.
Please do not attend your CT appointment if you have any symptoms of COVID.