If you live in Kirklees please contact our Lung health team. Call 01924 939290 or email kirkccg.curo.lhc@nhs.net

If you live in Bradford please speak to your GP receptionist who can offer further advice.

The lung screening programme is currently just being piloted in 38 practices in the area. These practices have been selected using data on smoking prevalence and other socio-economic factors in those areas.

It is a special CT (Computed Tomography) scan that uses a very low dose of radiation and a computer to take a detailed picture of your lungs. You can watch our video that shows what your scan will be like here.

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

CT scanners use a small amount of radiation to produce pictures of your lungs. 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.

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.

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.

You can watch our video that shows what your scan will be like here.

You will get your results from us within four weeks.

As long as the screening is still available in your area, it isn’t too late to arrange a screening. If you live in Kirklees please call the Lung health team on 01924 939290 to discuss, or if you live in Bradford please speak to your GP receptionist who can offer further advice.

It is important to look out for anything that is unusual for you, especially:

• A persistent cough or change in your normal cough
• Coughing up blood
• Being short of breath
• Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• Appetite loss

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, see your GP as soon as possible. Do not wait for another scan.

Many people who have been smoking for years and who have tried to quit multiple times have successfully stopped smoking.  If you do smoke and would like to stop, there are friendly, free and local stop smoking services waiting for you to get in touch.

The nurse at your Targeted Lung Health Check can put you in touch with these services, you can ask GP or contact NHS Smokefree on 0300 123 1044 or visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree

Residents of Kirklees can self refer to our wellness service. It offers 1–1 individual and group sessions in local communities and at different times, including evening sessions. Click here for more information.

Residents of Bradford can find information about a range of local stop smoking support services on the Living Well website.

For video links to lots of inspirational stories of people that have stopped smoking, or to get more information click here.

The first thing to do is speak to your GP.  They will help you identify the next steps.