Implementation of the NHS England Lung Cancer Screening Programme over 5 years

Lee, Richard W., Nair, Arjun, Balata, Haval, Graham, Charlotte, Parylo, Craig and Brain, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9296-9748 2026. Implementation of the NHS England Lung Cancer Screening Programme over 5 years. Nature Medicine 32 , pp. 1817-1826. 10.1038/s41591-026-04292-y

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Abstract

Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography has been proven to reduce lung-cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. The UK launched the NHS England Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in 2019, which has now become the national Lung Cancer Screening Programme, with full coverage expected by 2030. Here we present the progress and outcomes of the program. People aged 55–74 were offered low-dose computed tomography of the thorax if they had ever smoked and if risk thresholds, as determined by multivariable models, were met. Delivery of the program is through regionally federated clinical infrastructure and leadership, with national strategic, clinical and economic frameworks. The program has invited over two million people, with 7,193 lung cancers diagnosed—63.1% at tumor, node, metastasis stage 1 and 12.6% stage 2—to March 2025. This has increased the early-stage proportion of lung cancer in England over 5 years, particularly in socioeconomically deprived regions. The NHS England Programme exemplifies how large-scale implementation can be achieved at speed through centralized protocols and effective project management. The program has demonstrated feasibility and scalability in reaching high-risk and underserved populations, but needs to further address inequalities in participation. These findings support adoption of lung cancer screening across the UK and globally, and offer practical tools for international adaptation.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Additional Information:	For full list of authors please see https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04292-y
Publisher:	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
ISSN:	1078-8956
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2026
Date of Acceptance:	16 February 2026
Last Modified:	05 Jun 2026 09:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186070

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