Page 19 - Inspire

Pre-pandemic, the long-awaited results of the NELSON study, a CT screening trial based in the
Netherlands and Belgium, were published.

Described as ‘significant’ and ‘clear cut’, the study showed that after 10 years, the mortality rate for
men who received regular screening was reduced by 24% compared to men who got no screening,
while women saw a 33% reduction.

In short, the lives of around a quarter of men and a third of women were saved during the trial. This
is why it is vital those invited to a lung health check take up the opportunity:

“I’ve recently allowed myself to think ‘What if?’” Jo continues, “and I now realise how cavalier I was being.
I wasn’t taking this with the seriousness it warranted and that’s because of the lack of symptoms. I dread
to think what could have happened if I had delayed.

I know of people who have not followed up on the invitation. I would be talking to people about my
experience, and they’d recall getting a letter but not making an appointment.

I suppose it’s understandable – you’re busy, you think it’s not going to affect you, or you just don’t want
to go there. After all, lung cancer is a scary prospect so it’s easier to bury your head in the sand and the
safety of not knowing.

But my experience says ‘You don’t know what you don’t know!’ and, if you value your health, why
wouldn’t you have it checked?”

We are pleased to say that the majority of lung health check programmes are now back up and running,
with those people who are eligible now starting to receive invitations. Due to the pandemic, changes have
been made to initial appointments, with many now online or over the phone. Further strict procedures
are also in place to ensure the programmes are Covid-safe.

The coronavirus pandemic has placed an even greater emphasis on our respiratory health. We hope this,
alongside all our hard work, will encourage more people to attend a lung health check, to save more lives
and take those final few steps towards a national lung cancer screening programme.