BBC coverage showcases local screening programme
Thames Valley Cancer Alliance is pleased to see the Lung Cancer Screening Programme featured on BBC South Today, BBC news and BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Berkshire. Helping raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and encouraging more eligible people to take up their invitation.
The feature follows filming at the Oxford Community Diagnostic Centre, where the BBC met clinicians and spoke to a local participant about their experience of the programme and why attending made such a difference.
Lung cancer screening is available to people aged 55 to 74 who currently smoke or have smoked in the past. Those who are eligible are invited for a Lung Health Check, where they can discuss their lung health with a healthcare professional. If appropriate, they may then be offered a low-dose CT scan to look for signs of lung cancer before symptoms develop.
Across Thames Valley, the programme is already making a real difference. Around 70% of lung cancers are now being diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
Dr Fiona MacLeod, Programme Director for the Lung Cancer Screening Programme in Oxfordshire, said:
“Lung cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why screening is so important. Finding cancer earlier gives people the best possible chance of successful treatment. If you receive an invitation for a Lung Health Check, we encourage you to take up the opportunity.”
The BBC feature helps shine a light on the benefits of screening and the positive impact the programme is having across the region. Read the BBC news article: Banbury woman says supermarket lung cancer scan saved her life
The television coverage was supported by a series of live BBC radio interviews featuring Dr John Park, Clinical Director for Lung Cancer Screening across the Thames Valley. Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford with Phil Mercer– 1:40:19 and BBC Radio Berkshire: Rich Clarke – 1:08:10. Dr Park highlighted how the programme is helping diagnose more lung cancers at an early stage and encouraged eligible people to accept their invitation for a Lung Health Check.
You can watch the BBC South Today feature here at 07:10 (until 8pm 2 July 2026): South Today – Evening News: 01/07/2026 – BBC iPlayer