Early breakthroughs reported for major Doncaster lung cancer scheme

The Doncaster Lung Health Check Programme was launched in Rossington in March in a bid to pick up on lung conditions including cancer, in areas which have a history of serious lung disease.

Just over a month on, doctors are pleased with the early signs.

Dr David Crichton, a GP chairman of the Doncaster NHS Clinical Commissioning Group , told governors of the CCG: "From the early data we are finding people that might have a lung condition, and not only finding them, but finding them at an early stage.

“We’ve got to follow through before we get conclusions but the early signs are that in Rossington we have identified some people who have come forward and have had problems picked up through scanning.

"We will give updates and we will work through various parts of Doncaster.”

The Lung Health Check Programme has been launched in the south of the borough where current and previous smokers aged 55 to 74 are being invited for a check to identify lung conditions early, including lung cancer.

Figures revealed to governors at the meeting showed that to date, 373 lung health checks have taken place and 221 of those patients have been referred for a Low Dose CT scan.

The mobile scanning unit is currently located in Rossington, but will roll out to other areas across Doncaster over the next year.

The scheme was originally due to start in 2020, but it was delayed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The first weeks of the scheme have seen the scanner located in the car park of Rossington Miners Welfare on West End Lane.

Health experts believe the £1million CT scanner could save 200 lives

The borough has been selected for a pioneering scheme which is aimed at transforming the survival chances of victims of lung cancer, with a scheme which has been named the Doncaster Lung Health Check programme.

After an initial six weeks in Rossington, the scheme will move on to sites in other communities, including Edlington, Mexborough and Adwick.

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