The Health Innovation Accelerator is focused on rapidly improving diagnosis and treatment in disease areas where early diagnosis can improve outcomes and save people’s lives – including heart failure, liver disease, lung cancer, and respiratory conditions.

Lung Cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in the United Kingdom. It is commonly diagnosed too late due to there often being no symptoms at the earlier stages.

Targeted Lung Health Checks aims to find lung cancers early, often before symptoms occur, and are offered to people aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers. These checks are carried out in mobile clinic units and are currently in the process of being rolled out across Greater Manchester starting with areas which have higher levels of deprivation and smoking rates. The mobile clinics move to different areas in convenient community locations such as supermarket car parks and community centres. So far, more than 76,000 checks have been carried out in Greater Manchester.

To date, the checks have proved to be an effective way in detecting lung cancer earlier with around 80% of cancers being diagnosed at an early stage (stage one or two) when they are much more treatable.  The checks can also help to identify other conditions – such as COPD and  heart issues earlier, meaning more patients  receive support and treatment.

Lung cancer is known to be more prevalent in deprived communities, and the Targeted Lung Health Check  project with help from the Health Innovation Accelerator programme aims to address inequalities and improve the early diagnosis of lung cancer in these communities.

The Targeted Lung Health Check Programme is delivered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, and the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance. The research activity which takes places onboard the mobile units is delivered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

Hammaad’s story – “the earlier you catch something, the sooner you can treat it…”

Hammaad, a pharmacist from Bolton and self-development coach, who lost his father to lung cancer within a year of his diagnosis has expressed how important he feels it is for eligible people to attend a Targeted Lung Health Check, when they are invited. He says this is still very important even if they are not a current smoker. The checks are available to people aged 55-74 who are both current or former smokers. These people will be sent an invitation to attend an appointment when the checks roll into their area.

After being diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs, Hammaad’s father was diagnosed with lung cancer despite not having smoked for a number of years. Hammaad said:

“I think early diagnosis of lung cancer is very important. the earlier you catch something the sooner you can treat it. So, I’m very pleased to see that the Lung Health Checks are being rolled out across Greater Manchester. If someone has a history of smoking or is a current smoker, it’s always worth getting checked out. In my day-to-day job, I’m a community pharmacist so I’m seeing patients all the time and they always come to me with problems or symptoms that they’re not aware of – we always recommend that they get checked.”

Hammaad believes that having  better knowledge of what health services were available at the time could have helped his father, and he believes that education is key to breaking down this barrier so that people with health issues or concerns attend health checks or visit their GP if they experience symptoms they are concerned about Hammaad explained:

“My dad went to the university of life, he always used to say this. So, I think sometimes medical terms may have gone over his head. The moment his diagnosis came about, the symptoms were very much apparent. I think it is vitally important to help raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer so that people can visit their GP  when they notice something is not quite right. And now that there are mobile Lung Health Checks available in parts of Greater Manchester, I think it is really important that people make the most of these and attend. I’d encourage everyone in my community to look out for their letter and attend their check – it might just save their life.

“This service hadn’t started when my father got his diagnosis but if it had been around for my father, I think that it would’ve helped in terms of getting an earlier diagnosis for him and maybe the treatment would’ve started earlier, and he could have potentially had the opportunity to live a longer life. I also think he didn’t know about things in the area, I don’t think he was aware, and so raising awareness of this service is crucial so that people know what is available to them. Being proactive in finding out more about your lung health is something that Hammaad believes is essential, and so he is encouraging everyone to attend their lung health check when invited and to get to know about the potential signs and symptoms of lung cancer.

Hammaad said: “The advice that I would give is please attend your Lung Health Check when you are invited. It’s firstly for your own benefit but, if that’s not enough to get you there, think about your loved ones. If you’re too apprehensive to do it, then maybe let them know and they’ll give you a push.

“I’d recommend not to hesitate, not to be apprehensive, whether you know or you don’t know, the situation is the same, so you’re better off knowing. Be proactive, take the first step, do it for yourself and for your loved ones around you.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, Hammaad is committed to being an advocate for his community and promoting positive health and well-being. His admiration for his father shines through in how he describes his father as a dedicated, kind-hearted pillar of the community who always put others first.

The community’s sorrow at his father’s passing highlights the profound impact he had on those around him. As a meaningful tribute to his father’s life and values Hammaad’s seeks to continue his work through Seek 2 Change  an organisation that promotes global peace by supporting and uplifting others.

Further information about the Targeted Lung Health Checks and the Lung Cancer Screening project.

Further information about the Health Innovation Accelerator:

The Health Innovation Accelerator has been established to rapidly improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease across the 2.8m Greater Manchester population.

The Accelerator encompasses two projects, the Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator and the DEVOTE programme, delivered through a partnership between Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), The University of Manchester, and industry partners.