Page 3 - Inspire Autumn/Winter Edition 2017

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Lung Health MOT Check

The Early Scan Catches the Cancer

Early detection is key to improving cancer survival rates. It’s working for breast and cervical cancer; over 6,000 lives have
been saved each year after screening became available on the NHS. We’re hopeful this success will be echoed for bowel
cancer with up to 2,000 lives predicted to be saved each year by 2025.

We believe this can also be emulated for lung cancer. And we’re starting to see the results to prove it.

This year, we funded a Lung Health MOT Check to identify potential patients before symptoms appear. And that’s exactly
what we have achieved.

The results are in…

In almost 5% of patients, CT scans revealed small nodules on their lungs. These are not currently malignant. However, these
patients will now undergo interval CT scanning to monitor any growth or changes.

Without our health check, it is highly likely these patients would have stayed ‘under the radar’ and remained
undiagnosed even if the nodule grew. Now, any changes would mean they should be diagnosed at a very early
stage and be offered potentially curative, and far less radical, treatment.

In addition to these patients, we have also identified two more people who, as a result, are now undergoing further tests;
one is awaiting the results of a bronchoscopy after a PET scan revealed an eight millimetre nodule while the other is waiting
for the results of an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). We are hopeful that, should lung cancer be diagnosed, both patients
are at an early stage and eligible for curative treatment.

An eighth patient was diagnosed, but unfortunately, at late stage; and they are now receiving palliative chemotherapy.

But wait, there’s more…

We’re not just looking for lung cancer but other respiratory conditions that could affect a person’s health and quality of life
without them even realising. In addition to the lung cancer and potential lung cancers found, 62% of people who attended a
CT scan were referred for further care. This was for a number of reasons, including a COPD diagnosis, high blood pressure
and asthma. Patients were also given smoking cessation advice.

Creating a model that works for the people it’s trying to help
Attendance levels at our check were incredible, with 96% coming for their scan,
a figure that certainly surpasses similar projects where patients were asked to go
for a CT scan at a hospital.

Location, it suggests, plays a significant role. By placing a CT scanner in the heart
of a community, more people will be able to attend their appointment.
They do not have to worry about travel, particularly if they are in ill-health,
or about the cost of getting there.

Our project also fast-tracks patients; instead of falling into NHS waiting lists,
they will have their scan a week after their initial appointment.

This is better for the patient and our overstretched NHS.

We are highly encouraged by the results and are aiming to fund
the Lung Health MOT Check in its next stage, identifying more
patients and potential patients and, ultimately, saving lives.

You can save a life too. Simply text LUNG £5 to 70660 to
Autumn/Winter
donate £5 today and help us make early detection a reality. 3