Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-based deaths in Yorkshire, with deaths double those of breast and prostate cancer.
Thanks to a pioneering testing programme, more people in Leeds are benefiting from earlier detection of lung cancer, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment and survival.
The self-request chest X-ray service is available for anyone over 40 who is registered with a Leeds GP and has had a cough, fatigue or tiredness, difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite or weight, chest pain, coughing up blood, or a lump in the neck, for more than three weeks.
People can walk in and get an X-ray, without an appointment, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, at Leeds General Infirmary, St James’s University Hospital, St George’s Centre in Middleton, Wharfedale Hospital and Chapel Allerton Hospital, and every day from 8am to 6pm at Seacroft Hospital.
Dr Bobby Bhartia is a Consultant Radiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who says early detection of lung cancer is crucial and hopes the self-request service will help persuade people to get tested sooner.
“When people think of lung cancer, they often think of smoking,” he said. “What people don’t often realise is that smoking isn’t the only cause of lung cancer. In fact, one in seven people with lung cancer have never smoked.
“Smoking isn’t the only cause of lung cancer. In fact, one in seven people with lung cancer have never smoked.” – Dr Bobby Bhartia, Consultant Radiologist
“There is a stigma around smoking and its links to lung cancer which can make people with potential cancer reluctant to come forward and see their doctor for fear of being judged. It means getting people to come forward and get tested in the first place is one of our biggest challenges.”
Dr Bhartia said: “This reluctance to get tested is compounded by the fact that lung cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms at an early stage, or the symptoms might be non-specific and commonly seen, such as a cough.
“As a result, approximately three quarters of those diagnosed have late-stage lung cancer. A late diagnosis means treatment options are more limited, and survival rates are lower. Early detection is crucial in giving people with cancer the best chances of survival.”
He added: “People might feel like they are wasting their doctor’s time if they come with a vague symptom, or without any pain. But it’s important to get checked out. It might be nothing, or it might be something else that’s treatable – or it might be lung cancer. The important thing is to get it checked.”
Getting checked has been made much easier with the introduction of the self-request chest X-ray service in Leeds.
“The self-request service works well because it’s so simple,” said Dr Bhartia. “The idea behind the service is that you can go straight for the test. It cuts out the process of visiting your GP or the need to book an appointment, where things might get delayed.”
“It might be nothing, or it might be something else that’s treatable – or it might be lung cancer. The important thing is to get it checked.” – Dr Bobby Bhartia, Consultant Radiologist
Christian had had a cough for three or four weeks when he heard about the self-request X-ray service from a friend. He decided to get tested at the Radiology department at Seacroft Hospital.
He said: “It only took half an hour, which meant I could quickly step out of work to get it done. When I arrived, I filled out a form and everything was explained to me clearly. Everyone was really friendly and the scan itself took just a couple of minutes.”
He added: “I got a text with the results within a week. Fortunately, there was nothing of concern, but it was a weight off my mind. I think it’s a great idea – it’s really convenient and I’ve been telling everyone about it.”
Dr Bhartia said: “In many ways I think this is how checks for all cancers should work. For lung cancer, it means you don’t need to feel concerned about speaking to a doctor, or feel like you’re wasting someone’s time. It’s one appointment, one test – and you have the results.”
Leeds Teaching Hospitals piloted the self-request service initially, testing over 12,000 people before it was paused during the pandemic. The service restarted again in 2023. In the last two years 3,000 people have come forwards to be tested.
The Leeds programme was the first of its kind in the UK, and has been hailed by national charity the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, which recommended the Leeds programme should be rolled out nationwide. Since the Leeds service was set up, similar services have been piloted in Manchester, Leicester, Newcastle, London and Birmingham.
Dr Bhartia said: “This is all about improving the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Often, the people who are affected the most are those who struggle the most to get help. By removing the barriers to get tested we’ve made it much more accessible for people to take the opportunity when they can. Earlier detection means we can give people the best chance of beating this disease.”
He added: “I want everyone in the Leeds area to know this service is here for you and I’d encourage anyone to get a chest X-ray if you need one.”
For more information on the service, please the Radiology page.
Or watch a video showing what happens at a self-request chest X-ray on YouTube.