Targeted Lung Health Check - Further FAQs

• During the scan, you will usually lie flat on your back on a bed that moves slowly through the CT scanner. The scanner is shaped like a ring, and it rotates around a small section of your body as you pass through it.
• Specially trained staff (called radiographers) control the scanner from behind a screen in the CT room. You will be able to see and speak to them during the scan.
• When a scan is taken, you will need to lie still and follow simple breathing instructions for 10 seconds. This makes sure the pictures are not blurred.

The scan is painless, and you will be able to eat, drink and drive as normal before and after your scan.

You may need to remove your coat, but you can leave your clothing on.

Ideally, we would like to you to attend alone as we are still working hard to protect patients and staff from COVID.

Should you need support though, one other person may attend with you.

• Printed information resources are available in several different languages as well as an Easy Read version. 
• For appointments, InHealth offers a language line for translation and BSL interpreters. Please call 023 9338 2625
• The mobile unit for the CT scan is wheelchair accessible. When you book your TLHC, you will be asked about your mobility so that we can make sure we can support you at your appointment.

This will be subject to an assessment by the Patient Transport Booking Service.

These appointments are classed as secondary care outpatient appointments.

Visit www.scas.nhs.uk/our-services/non-emergency-patient-transport-service/hampshire-nepts/

You will get your results within four weeks. There are four possible results.

• No problems found

This means we saw no signs of lung cancer, or other problems, on the scan. We will write to you with the results and ask you to come back for another scan in two years.

However, it is still possible that lung cancer could develop between scans or that the scan may have missed it. If you notice anything that is not normal for you before your next scan, tell your doctor.

• Second scan needed

This usually means there is something on the scan which is hard to identify. It is probably something harmless, but because it could be more serious, we will ask you to come for another scan in around three months, just to check.

• Further tests needed

This means we've seen something on the scan, and you need further tests, which could include a biopsy.

We will call you and write to the hospital so you can be seen by a doctor to investigate further.

• Another problem found

This means there is no sign of lung cancer but there are signs of other problems on the scan that may need treatment or medical advice. We will write to you and your GP and ensure you’re referred on to the correct specialist.

• Treatment of early-stage lung cancer is often more successful -You are three times more likely to be diagnosed at an early stage through a lung scan. Small and early lung cancers can often be removed completely by operation or treated with radiotherapy. Research suggests screening for lung cancer using CT scans can reduce your risk of dying from the cancer by around 25%. CT scanners use a small amount of radiation to produce pictures of your lungs. However, by using the very latest CT scanners, we are able to reduce the amount of radiation needed. The chance of this scan saving your life by detecting an early cancer is far greater than the chance of the scan causing you any harm

• For a very small number of people the scan does not always find a cancer that is there -This is called a false negative. You could also still develop lung cancer in the future. If you do start to display symptoms at any time, please see your doctor.

• In some people, the scan picks up something even though they do not have lung cancer -This is called a false positive result and would mean you need further tests before confirming you don't have cancer.

• Scans can pick up lung cancers that will never cause a person harm -Doctors can not always tell if a cancer will go on to be life threatening, as a result, some people will receive treatment that they do not need.

There are several reasons why a patient might not be offered a low dose CT scan, and these include:

• They’re unable to lie flat.
• They’re unable to transfer onto the CT scanning bed without support, or with the support of somebody who attends the scan with them.
• They weigh more than 180kg.
• They are not physically fit.
• They do not have capacity to consent to the CT scan and it is not in their best interests to have one.

Yes, Targeted Lung Health Checks will be rolled out nationally. 

The checks are initially being offered in areas of England with the highest lung cancer mortality rates.

A lung nodule is a very small area of roundish shadowing seen on a CT scan which measures 3cm / 1 inch or smaller. It does not cause any symptoms. A person may have several nodules. This is not necessarily more serious than just having one.

What causes lung nodules?

Lung nodules are very common. About 1 in 4 older people who smoke or who have smoked have nodules. About 1 in 10 people who have never smoked may also have nodules.

Nodules may be caused by scarring from lung infections. They are common in people who have had TB in the past.

Are lung nodules cancerous?

Most nodules are benign (non-cancerous). In a very small number of people the nodule could be an early lung cancer.

How can we find out the cause?

It is not always easy to know the cause of a nodule just from one CT scan. Because they are very small, doing a biopsy on them (taking a piece of the nodule out and examining it) can be very difficult and risky.

Do all nodules grow?

No. Benign (non-cancerous) nodules usually do not grow but cancerous ones will eventually grow. The best way to assess them is to repeat the CT scan after a period of time. For example, after 3 or 12 months.