North London Smokers Urged to Accept Free NHS Lung Cancer Checks

Current and former smokers across north London are being encouraged to accept invitations for free NHS lung cancer screening, as health leaders warn that early-stage disease may develop without noticeable symptoms.

University College London Hospitals delivers the programme across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. People aged between 55 and 74 who currently smoke or have smoked previously are identified through their GP records and invited to complete an initial lung health assessment. Those considered at higher risk may then be offered a low-dose CT scan.

Screening participation across north central London currently averages 46%, below the national target of 53%. NHS teams say some people fail to attend because they mistakenly believe the invitation was sent to them in error, particularly if they stopped smoking many years ago.

The programme is designed to identify lung cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful. People who believe they are eligible but have not received an invitation can contact the local screening service, while anyone whose GP record does not include their current or former smoking status should ask their practice to update it.

Screening is not intended for people already experiencing possible symptoms. Anyone with a persistent cough, unexplained breathlessness or weight loss, recurring chest infections or blood in their phlegm should contact their GP rather than wait for a screening invitation.

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