Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Lung Cancer Screening Programme 2026-07-14

Tuesday 14 July 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The lung cancer screening programme is helping to find lung cancers earlier and is focusing on areas with the greatest need to narrow the gap in lung cancer outcomes.
  • The NHS has delivered spirometry tests in community settings to diagnose COPD missed during the pandemic, and the lung cancer screening programme also refers to this.
  • The NHS lung cancer screening programme has national protocols to ensure that clinically significant incidental findings are reported, followed up, and acted on appropriately.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
NHS
Context

The lung cancer screening programme has been implemented to identify cancers at an earlier stage. The programme also identifies other serious health conditions.

Question

What progress his Department has made on ensuring that incidental findings from the lung cancer screening programme are followed up.

Answer from Sharon Hodgson

The lung cancer screening programme is already making a difference by helping to find lung cancers earlier, when they are easier to treat. By focusing first on areas with the greatest need, it is also helping to narrow the gap in lung cancer outcomes. The programme can also identify other serious health conditions. Clear NHS protocols are now in place so that these findings are followed up and patients can get the right care as quickly as possible.

Answered
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Q2 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
NHS
Context

In the constituency of Wythenshawe and Sale East, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major issue. Chiesi, based in the area, is involved in early diagnosis efforts.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of the Frontier Hull programme in tackling COPD, and will she commit to exploring scaling this up nationally?

Answer from Sharon Hodgson

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the excellent work of Hull University teaching hospital and Chiesi. The NHS has delivered spirometry tests in community settings, including community diagnostic centres, to diagnose COPD missed in the pandemic, and the lung cancer screening programme also refers patients to primary care, including for COPD.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to exploring scaling up the Frontier Hull programme nationally

How: Under Review

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS
Context

The lung cancer screening programme identifies clinically significant incidental findings. The national guidance for follow-up of these findings needs to be issued.

Question

What progress has her Department made in ensuring that incidental funding is followed up? When will the national guidance be issued on this?

Answer from Sharon Hodgson

The NHS lung cancer screening programme has clear national protocols and quality assurance arrangements to ensure that clinically significant incidental findings are reported, followed up and acted on appropriately to help ensure that patients receive timely assessment and treatment through established NHS pathways.

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