Whether you are directly affected by lung cancer, or you just want to find out more, we have put together a range of resources to support you.
Knowing the type helps guide treatment, so your doctor will confirm this through various tests needed as symptoms often overlap with other conditions, so a range of tests and therefore treatments are necessary as a result. These will be discussed further down this page in the ‘Diagnosis Process’ section.
Lung cancer symptoms can be subtle early on. You should speak to a doctor if you notice any of these more common lung cancer symptoms:
Some less common signs of lung cancer include:
Symptoms don't always mean cancer—but it's safer to get checked early. It is important to note that if you notice a change in your health, specifically relating to the symptoms above, it is important to get it checked out. Symptoms of Lung Cancer commonly overlap with other lung conditions such as pneumonia, COPD, among many others. Therefore, if you are unsure, it is important to get it checked with your GP.
For more information, access the video below or this link to the Roy Castle Lung Foundation website: Symptoms of Lung Cancer | Roy Castle Foundation
Some people are more at risk than others. Common factors include:
Although, the main risk factors pertain to smoking by far, it is important to be aware that anyone can develop Lung Cancer. If someone has never smoked, they often face many more visits to their GP or have their symptoms misdiagnosed because they don’t fit the ‘lung cancer stereotype’.
Therefore, it is important to recognise symptoms as early as possible to firstly understand that you need to book an appointment with your GP, and secondly, to get the most out of your appointment whilst you are there. The Roy Castle Lung Foundation’s campaign ‘Let Go of the Labels’ explains this in great detail, with patient stories to illustrate the impact this has on lives. Please click here to find out more: Let Go of the Labels | Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
The good news? Many risks—especially smoking—can be reduced with support and resources. Please see some important links below to access smoking cessation and nicotine addiction services:
Quit Smoking Support | Roy Castle
NHS stop smoking services help you quit - NHS
Testing may feel overwhelming, so here’s what you can expect:
All procedures and treatments will be explained by your multi-disciplinary team beforehand, otherwise referred to as an ‘MDT’.
Your team will vary depending on where you are getting your treatment, but will most often include:
There are many other professionals who may also be involved, though not necessarily part of the MDT. These might include:
How your lung cancer is treated will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of lung cancer you have, its size and location, and the stage of the cancer. Your treatment may also depend on your general health and fitness. The page linked below on the Roy Castle Lung Foundation website provides information on the different types of treatments available for lung cancer, including:
Additionally, you can learn about clinical trials and complimentary treatments such as acupuncture or massage.
Please access this link for more information: Lung Cancer Treatments | Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Its important to note that you may need to visit different centres across the region based on your type of test or treatment. Similarly, imaging, biopsies, and pathology results take a lot of coordination, so they may take some time to process. Below is a table outlining some of the key services across the West Midlands from each Trust and site:
Trust (main hospital)
Thoracic surgery
Radiotherapy
PET-CT Scan
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
Notes (regional access if not on-site)
University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) – Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB)
Yes
Yes (QEHB Cancer Centre)
Yes (QEHB)
Regional centre for complex thoracic; runs PET-CT service on site. uhb.nhs.uk+1wmcanceralliance.nhs.uk
Royal Wolverhampton (RWT) – New Cross Hospital (Heart & Lung Centre)
Yes (Deanesly Centre)
Yes (New Cross site)
Regional thoracic hub; on-site PET-CT and radiotherapy. scts.orgSoRUniversity Hospitals of North MidlandsSandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
UHCW – University Hospital Coventry
Yes (Arden Centre)
Yes (UHCW site)
Full thoracic/oncology & imaging on site. scts.orguhcw.nhs.uk+1uhb.nhs.uk
UHNM – Royal Stoke University Hospital
Yes (UHNM Cancer Centre)
Yes (Royal Stoke site)
Full thoracic/oncology & imaging on site. scts.orgNHS Jobsalliancemail.co.ukuhcw.nhs.uk
SWBH – Sandwell & West Birmingham (City Hospital / Sandwell General)
No (regional)
Yes (mobile unit at City Hospital)
PET-CT via mobile at City; EBUS on site; surgery/radiotherapy via regional centres (often QEHB/RWT). University Hospitals of North MidlandsSandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Dudley Group – Russells Hall Hospital
No (to RWT New Cross)
N/A
Trust states lung surgery is at New Cross; diagnostics (incl. CT-guided biopsy) on site.
Walsall Healthcare – Walsall Manor Hospital
No (to RWT Deanesly)
EBUS on site; radiotherapy typically at RWT; PET-CT via regional sites. dgft.nhs.uk
SaTH – Shrewsbury & Telford (Royal Shrewsbury / Princess Royal)
No (to UHNM)
Yes (Lingen Davies, RSH)
Thoracic surgery referrals to UHNM; radiotherapy on site at RSH. SaTHfinder.bupa.co.uk
Worcestershire Acute – Worcestershire Royal (Oncology Centre)
Yes (Worcestershire Oncology Centre)
Radiotherapy on site at Worcester; surgery & PET-CT via regional hubs. uhb.nhs.uk
Wye Valley – Hereford County Hospital
Yes (Herefordshire Radiotherapy Unit)
Local radiotherapy service running on the HHT site; surgery & PET-CT via regional hubs. geh.nhs.uk
George Eliot – George Eliot Hospital (Nuneaton)
No (to UHCW)
No (to UHCW PET-CT)
Local lung cancer clinics; complex diagnostics/treatment via UHCW. uhb.nhs.uk
South Warwickshire – Warwick Hospital
Local clinics; complex diagnostics/treatment via UHCW. uhcw.nhs.uk
Lung Cancer Screening (formerly known as Targeted Lung Health Checks) is a screening programme for people aged between 55 and 74 who have ever smoked currently offered in England with plans to roll out across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in future.
The programme targets those most at risk of lung cancer and contributes to the ambition of the NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to improve early diagnosis and survival for those diagnosed with cancer.
In 2023, the Government announced that the then Targeted lung health checks programme was to become a national screening programme aiming to cover all areas of England by 2030. Read the announcement here.
Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the UK. There are often no symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.
The check looks at how well your lungs are working, any risk factors and can help diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can make lung cancer more treatable and make treatment more successful.
You can be invited for a check if you
If you fit these criteria, your GP or local NHS service will send you a letter or call to book an appointment.
If you're not sure the GP knows that you smoke, or have smoked in the past, contact the GP surgery and ask them to update your record. This will make sure you are invited for a lung health check in the future.
Your appointment may be in person, by phone, or online.
A health professional will ask about your health and lifestyle to find out more about your risk of lung cancer.
This includes questions about your breathing, lifestyle, and family and medical history. They will also take your height and weight measurements.
At the end of the lung health check, one of the following things will happen:
After the scan, you should receive your results within four weeks regarding your outcome.
Your GP will also be contacted with the results of your scan. To note, the service does involve reinviting patients on a regular basis if risk factors change.
Currently within the West Midlands, we have 5 live Lung Cancer Screening services within Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham & Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley and Coventry & Rugby and North Warwickshire. Please use the links below to find out further information regarding these local services.
The programme is being roll-out in stages, with the aim of having full access to all West Midlands by March 2029. Please see below indicated rollout for the remaining areas:
See a GP if you're worried about symptoms of lung cancer, such as:
Do not wait for a lung health check if you have any of these symptoms. They are not meant as an alternative – if you have symptoms, please get them checked out.
Screening is to look for early signs of those most at risk in the same way as other national screening for bowel, breast, and cervical. Any patients with symptoms that are suspicious should seek medical help from their GP in the first instance.
The majority of people who go for screening will not have lung cancer. For those who do have, screening can help speed up diagnosis and increase your treatment options, including curative-intent treatment.
Currently 75% of people who have been diagnosed with lung cancer through the lung health check programme have been caught at stages 1 and 2.
Please see below links to patient stories from Gordon and Sandra, about their Lung Cancer Screening experience:
Gordon's lung cancer story - roycastle.org
World Cancer Day: I never knew you could have lung cancer and feel so well - roycastle.org
Additionally, below are some useful links from various charities and foundations across the UK to support you with information surrounding lung cancer. Please feel free to access them:
Lung cancer information and support | Macmillan Cancer Support
Lung cancer | Cancer Research UK
https://roycastle.org/learn-about-lung-cancer/symptoms-of-lung-cancer/
https://roycastle.org/learn-about-lung-cancer/getting-diagnosed/lung-cancer-tests/
https://roycastle.org/learn-about-lung-cancer/getting-diagnosed/your-lung-cancer-team/
https://roycastle.org/learn-about-lung-cancer/living-with-cancer/
https://roycastle.org/our-support/lung-cancer-stories/
https://roycastle.org/learn-about-lung-cancer/lung-health-checks/
https://roycastle.org/about-us/campaigns/
Ruth Strauss Foundation