Approximately 98,000 individuals aged 55-74 in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough currently smoke or have a history of smoking. This number is expected to rise to more than 110,000 by 2029.
The local roll-out of the national Lung Cancer Screening Programme started in February 2025 in Huntingdon and Peterborough, with people at higher risk of lung cancer receiving a letter inviting them to book a free screening appointment. The programme is now being rolled out to other areas in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and Royston. By 2029, the programme will be available across the country.
When you book your lung cancer screening appointment, you will be assessed by a nurse over the phone. If you’re considered to be at risk, you’ll be offered a follow-up assessment and scan on a mobile unit. Only those who meet the criteria and have an up-to-date GP record will be invited. If you think you’re eligible, please make sure your GP has a record of your smoking history.
What to expect
If you are eligible, you will receive a letter or text message inviting you for an initial Lung Cancer Screening assessment.
The initial assessment will take place over the phone. During this conversation, a nurse will ask you some questions about your breathing, overall lung health, lifestyle and family and medical history.
There are three possible results from your lung health check:
- No problems found – the health professional may find nothing further to investigate and you will be discharged from the lung cancer screening programme. We will write to your GP to tell them this.
- Referral to your GP – if problems with your breathing or lung health are found, you might be referred to your GP. The team will write to your GP so they know about the outcome.
- Offered a scan of your lungs – If you are assessed to be at a higher risk of lung cancer now or in the future you will be offered a scan of your lungs (a Low Dose CT scan).
Location and contact details
If you are eligible for lung cancer screening, the NHS will contact you directly to invite you to take part. Eligibility for the programme is determined based on your smoking history recorded with your GP, and your age.
If you believe your records may be outdated, please contact your GP practice to update them. If you are offered a scan of your lungs following the initial assessment, this will be carried out at a mobile CT scanning unit. The location of the unit will vary based on its proximity to participating GP practices.
The mobile units will be situated in convenient and accessible community locations, such as supermarket car parks.
Lung cancer screening
If you have received an invitation and need to contact the team, please use the details below:
- Phone number:
- 01778 368 848
- Email:
- [email protected]
Stop Smoking Support
If you would like support to quit smoking, there are free and friendly services available:
Greater Peterborough Network smoking cessation:
Web link – www.greaterpeterboroughgps.nhs.uk
Phone number: 01733 917432
NHS Smokefree
Website: NHS Smokefree
- Telephone:
- 0300 123 1044
GP practices involved
The Lung Cancer Screening team will collaborate with GP practices across all PCNs in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in phased stages. Over the next two years, eligible patients registered with GPs within this network will be invited to participate in the programme.