Having a Lung Health Check

Your Lung Health Check
Your lung health check will only take 10-20 minutes. It is usually done over the phone, but you can have an in-person appointment if you need it. Just let us know.

We will ask you some questions about your health. Your answers will tell us your risk of developing lung cancer.

If you are at low risk, you don’t need to do anything else. We may offer you another lung health check in the future. This is because your risk can change as you get older.

Around half of people who have a check are at low risk.

If you are at high risk, you will be offered a scan of your lungs.

Around half of people who have a check are at high risk.

If you need to have a scan, we will book this at a time which suits you.

Your Lung Scan (CT scan)
Your lung scan will take place either at hospital or on a mobile scanning van. If you want, you can bring someone with you. They’ll wait in a waiting area while you have your scan.

You’ll lie flat on a bed that moves slowly through the scanner. The scanner looks a bit like a big doughnut. It’s open on both ends, and you won’t be closed in.

You’ll do some simple breathing to help us take pictures of your lungs. You won’t feel anything. The scan will only take a few minutes, and your whole appointment will only take about 10 minutes.

You can eat and drink normally before your scan. You can go about your day as usual straight after.

Your Results
We will send you the results of your lung scan within four weeks. We will also write to your GP with your results.

Please contact your local team here if you haven’t received your results within 4 weeks of your scan.

Most people’s scans are normal. If your scan is normal, you don’t need to do anything else for now. We’ll offer you another scan in 2 years’ time.

Some people’s scans show something that we need to do more tests on. These tests will help us to work out what we have found. If you need more tests, we will call you to let you know. We will explain what the next steps are.

If you need more tests, it doesn’t always mean you have cancer.

We know it can be a worrying time waiting for your results. It’s important to remember that most people’s scans are normal.

If we do find anything on your scan, we will support you through it and answer any questions you have.