You may be contacted by the NHS if you:

Are in a specific age group (usually older adults)
Smoke now, or have smoked in the past

Invitations may arrive by letter, phone call, or text message. If you are invited, you’ll be given clear instructions on how to book.

A Lung Health Check usually involves:

1. A friendly chat with a healthcare professional about your breathing, general health, and smoking history
2. A simple health assessment
3. If appropriate, a quick, low‑dose CT scan at a local hospital or mobile scanner

Many people find the scan easier than they expected:

It’s fast and painless
No needles or injections in most cases
You lie on a bed that moves through a scanner, it only takes a few minutes
You can usually go straight home afterwards

Your scan is reviewed by specialist teams, and you will be contacted about the results and any next steps.

You might feel completely well and that’s exactly why screening is offered.

Lung screening can:

Detect changes in the lungs before symptoms appear
Offer a better chance of successful treatment if anything is found
Connect you with support to stop smoking, which is the best way to reduce your risk

Attending your appointment is a positive step to look after your future health.

Like any test, lung cancer screening has limitations:

It can sometimes pick up changes that aren’t cancer, meaning you might need extra tests to be sure
Very small cancers can sometimes be missed
Screening can’t prevent lung cancer, but it can help find it earlier

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and decide whether screening feels right for you.

For more information and support, you may find these NHS resources helpful:

It can sometimes pick up changes that aren’t cancer, meaning you might need extra tests to be sure
Very small cancers can sometimes be missed
Screening can’t prevent lung cancer, but it can help find it earlier

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and decide whether screening feels right for you.