More than 8,000 people in Southport and Formby area have completed a lung health check after being invited to take part in a screening programme.

History of smoking

Delivered by the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital on behalf of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, the programme is aimed at people aged 55 to 74 with a recorded history of smoking. This type of screening - which was offered to eligible patients in South Sefton between 2022 and 2024 - can reduce the number of people dying of lung cancer.

Sixty-eight percent of the invited 12,000 people contacted took up the offer of a free lung health check. This means North Sefton has the highest participation rate recorded anywhere in Cheshire and Merseyside since the programme began.

Mobile CT scanner at Dunes Splash World

As part of the programme, over 4,800 CT scans were carried out using a mobile CT scanner, which was located in the heart of Southport at Dunes Splash World. Those who attended for screening praised the convenience of having the scanner at such a convenient location.

Although the mobile scanner has now moved on from Southport, residents in North Sefton aged 55 to 74 with a recorded history of smoking can still book a lung health check through Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital by telephoning 0151-254-3032. Anyone assessed as requiring a CT scan will currently be offered an appointment at the nearest available scanning location, either in Wirral or Warrington.

As part of the programme, 76 patients were referred for further investigation, and eight lung cancers have been identified so far. This is in line with the programme’s aim of helping to save lives by detecting cancer earlier, often before symptoms develop. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment options and outcomes for patients.

Three hundred and fifty people agreed to be referred to smoking cessation services for support to quit smoking.

Helping to save lives

Dr Rory McGill Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “By detecting cancer earlier, often before symptoms develop, this programme is helping to save lives, so I’m delighted the take-up in North Sefton has been so high.

“Although those people targeted in this programme are at increased risk of lung cancer, most people will sail through it with no problems.

“And those where a cancer is identified are getting an early diagnosis, which significantly improves their treatment options.”

Fantastic response

Dr Octavia Stevens, Cancer Lead at Southport and Formby PCN said: “The response from people in Southport and Formby has been fantastic.

“Achieving the highest uptake rate seen across Cheshire and Merseyside shows that local people understand the importance of early detection and are willing to take up opportunities to look after their health.

“The identification of eight cancers so far demonstrates exactly why this programme is so important. Lung cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, and finding it early gives people the best possible chance of successful treatment.”

The mobile CT scanner is expected to return to South Sefton in March 2027.

This Cheshire and Merseyside Lung Cancer Screening video tells you more about what happens during a lung health check. 

You can also find a set of Frequently Asked Questions here. 

If you are a North Sefton resident aged 55 to 74 with a recorded history of smoking, you can still book a lung health check through Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital by telephoning 0151-254-3032.