Why lung health checks matter
Your lungs work hard for you throughout your life, so as you get older it makes sense to have them checked.
The Thames Valley Cancer Alliance Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) Programme gives eligible people the chance to have their lung health assessed and to detect potential problems at an earlier stage—when treatment is more likely to be straightforward and effective.
Who’s eligible
We invite people in the Thames Valley region who meet all the following criteria:
- Aged 55 to 74
- Current or former smokers
- Registered with a GP in the Thames Valley area
- Living in an area where our lung screening programme is active
If you match these, you may receive an invitation by letter, text, or email to participate.
How it works
The lung screening process is straightforward:
1. Risk Assessment
2. Low dose CT scan
3. Results & follow up
Where screening is offered in Thames Valley
Invitations are tailored to your locale. Here are the trusts taking part, and how screening is provided:
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Stoke Mandeville Hospital)
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust (mobile CT scanner in community locations)
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (mobile CT scanner in your area)
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (CT scan at Royal Berkshire Hospital)
The invite you receive will confirm the venue, date, and logistics.
What to expect during screening
- The process is painless—no injections or special prep needed
- A specialist will review results
- Your GP will be informed of your status
- You’ll get clear instructions on next steps
After the screening
- If your scan is clear: you might still be invited back in the future depending on risk
- If abnormalities are found: further tests will identify whether cancer (or other lung conditions) are present
- In all cases: we aim for prompt communication and action
If you haven’t been invited yet
Screening programmes are being introduced gradually. If you haven’t received an invitation but believe you may be eligible, contact your GP.
Important: If you have symptoms of lung cancer at any age, always see your GP, even if you have recently completed a screening test.
Support & further information
- Talk to your GP if you have concerns about symptoms
- See NHS resources: Lung cancer screening – NHS
- Read more common questions here: FAQs on Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer screening communications toolkit
We have created a LCS stakeholder toolkit to help organisations and community partners promote lung cancer screening. Materials can be downloaded below and shared to support clear, consistent messages about screening and early detection.
Members of the public may see these materials used locally as part of awareness-raising activities.
- Posters
- Leaflets
- Social media
- Digital screen ads (static)
- Digi screen ads V1 (MP4) , V2 (MP4)
- 3M banners
- Pull up banners