Life-saving programme changes name for better understanding

A PROGRAMME which has helped hundreds of Barnsley residents has had its name changed to make it easier to understand.

The Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) Programme, run by the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), aims to find and treat lung cancer at a much earlier stage.

It has supported a number of Barnsley residents and having been launched in October, the ICB are set to change its name to make it easier to understand.

Clinical director of the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB) LCS Programme Dr Jason Page said: “We have invited more than 50,000 people across SYB since 2021 who met the criteria of being aged between 55 and 74 and having ever smoked.

“It’s incredible to be able to say we have found more than 600 cancers, and three-quarters of these were diagnosed at stage one or two, which is exactly when we want to find it.

“Some people have asked what a TLHC is, not fully understanding it is to check for lung cancer.”

Research by NHS England’s Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) found that if people don’t understand or are confused about what a TLHC involves, they are more likely to not attend their appointment.

NHS England’s Behavioural Science Unit has worked with the Cancer Programme Team to investigate how changing the name could lead to people having a better understanding of TLHCs and so be more inclined to attend their appointments.

From this came the recommendation to change the name of the programme nationally to Lung Cancer Screening.

Dr Page added: “Lung cancer often has no symptoms until it’s at a much later stage, and while we promote the signs and symptoms to look out for and to speak with your GP if you’re concerned, it cannot be said enough how important it is to take part in cancer screening when you are invited.

“If changing the name to Lung Cancer Screening means it will be clearer for people to understand and therefore be more likely to keep their appointments, it can only be a good thing.

“This screening programme is saving lives.”

For more information, please visit lungcancerscreeningsyb.co.uk