Residents in parts of Knowsley have the chance to have a free lung health check when the mobile CT van returns to the borough this summer.
Part of NHS England’s Targeted Lung Health Check programme, the CT truck has been travelling around Knowsley, Halton and Liverpool offering people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked, a check on the health of their lungs.
Eligible patients registered at a GP practice in Roby, Prescot, St Michaels, St Gabriel’s and Swanside wards are now starting to receive their invitations to join the many residents who have already taken up the opportunity, when the mobile CT scanner visited Kirkby, Stockbridge and Page Moss.
Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Health Cllr Christine Bannon said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to have their lungs checked and make sure everything is working ok. For the majority of those who attend, everything will be fine, while for those that do find something wrong, catching it early can make all the difference.”
Hundreds of people have been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier through NHS mobile trucks, and more than three quarters (77%) of cancers have been caught early, giving patients a much better chance of beating the illness.
However, despite the clear benefits of attending a lung health check, only 38% of those invited in Knowsley have taken up the offer so far.
Dr Paul Morris, Knowsley Cancer Lead and GP, urges all those invited to make an appointment. He said: “We are hearing fantastic feedback from people who have been for their lung check. Those that get the all-clear feel very reassured, and those that do receive a diagnosis of a lung condition are receiving treatment far faster than they may have done otherwise.
“This is why we want everyone who gets an invite letter to take up the opportunity and make an appointment. Chances are you will not have any symptoms when you receive your invitation, but this should not stop you making an appointment. You should have the check whether you feel fine or not.
“The main aim of these checks is to find cancer at the earliest opportunity before there may even be any symptoms. Just as you would go for a breast screening or send off your bowel screening kit, we now want you to have your lungs checked too.”
How can I find out more?
Residents wanting to find out more about the checks can come along and meet the team at two roadshows on:
Friday 22 July – Tesco Extra, Cables Retail Park, Steely Way, Prescot L34 5NQ
Friday 29 July – Asda Huyton Supercentre, Huyton Lane, Huyton L36 7TX
For more information, visit: www.lhch.nhs.uk/lung-health-check
