Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
A Nottinghamshire grandmother is urging eligible people to take up their offer of a lung cancer screening check after a scan found two tumours on her lungs.
Melanie McKechnie, who had been a smoker for 46 years, was contacted in April via text message inviting her for a lung cancer screening appointment.
People aged 55 – 74 who have ever smoked are eligible for the lung cancer screening programme. Screening starts with a telephone assessment to find out about a person’s overall lung health, lifestyle, family and medical history.
Depending on those answers, they may then be invited to have a CT scan to check for early signs of lung cancer. Scans take place on mobile vans that are based in accessible locations such as supermarket carparks.
Melanie had her phone appointment and following the risk assessment, she was told she qualified for the CT scan.
Melanie said: “I was given a choice of appointments and locations, so I booked to go for a scan at the unit in the Asda carpark in West Bridgford a week or so later.
“It was an easy process with no waiting. The staff were really excellent – they were kind and caring.
“Within three days of the scan, I had a call asking me to attend an appointment at City Hospital. I saw a doctor and a specialist nurse who explained that they had found something on the CT scan, so they asked me to come back for a more detailed follow up scan and then a biopsy.
“They found a tumour on my left lung – but thankfully they found it early.
“I had an operation in July to remove a section of my lung but I shouldn’t need radiotherapy or chemotherapy. They will keep monitoring me just in case.
“Since the operation, things are improving on a daily basis. I’ve been doing exercises to build up my lung capacity and already feel it’s back to where it was before.
“I’m so amazed and gobsmacked about how great the whole process has been. Everyone I’ve been in contact with during the scanning and at the hospital has been brilliant and given me the most wonderful attention – I felt so cared for.
“Thank God for this screening process – it’s probably saved my life. I would never have known I had cancer, as I had no symptoms.
“We’re so lucky to have this service. Anyone who gets the lung cancer screening appointment should go.”
Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, Clinical Director for the Lung Cancer Screening Programme in Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, said: “Lung cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer because, by the time symptoms show, the cancer has often developed to a stage where it is more difficult to treat and cure.
“If you are invited for a lung cancer screening check, it’s really important to go even if you feel fit and healthy. The check can spot any issues at an earlier stage, making treatment much easier.
“So far, we’ve carried out over 45,000 scans in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and diagnosed over 600 cancers, 71% at an early stage. Before screening, that figure was less than 23%. That means more patients can get treatment that makes a difference.”
Professor David Baldwin, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: “Since we started the lung cancer screening programme in Nottingham, we have seen so many more people diagnosed at an early stage and go on to receive curative treatment. It has had such an amazing impact on our service.
“The team that deliver the programme have done so well and have been so dedicated to the cause. We still have a way to go before all the people who might be eligible have been contacted but I am confident the team will continue to do an excellent job.”
Laura Hardwick, Lung Cancer Nurse Team Leader at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of the lung cancer screening programme has been seeing the difference early diagnosis can make. We are detecting more cancers at an earlier stage which significantly improves treatment options and patient outcomes. It’s a privilege to be part of a project that is genuinely saving lives.”
Melanie has also been supported to stop smoking through her local stop smoking service.
You can find out more about the lung screening programme and local stop smoking services in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
