NHS Lung Cancer Screening offered to people in Altrincham

Current and former smokers who are registered with a GP in Altrincham will be offered NHS lung cancer screening from mid-February 2026.

The NHS will be offering free lung health checks which can help find lung cancer at an early stage when it is much more treatable to help save lives.

The quick checks are for people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke registered with the following GP practices in Altrincham Healthcare Alliance Primary Care Network:

• Park Medical Practice – WA15 7XR
• Altrincham Medical Practice – WA14 2DD
• Shay Lane Medical Centre (Kelman) – WA15 8NZ
• West Timperley Medical Centre – WA14 5PF
• St Johns Medical Centre – WA14 1PF

A mobile NHS lung cancer clinic will be based at Planet Ice, Oakfield Road, Altrincham, WA15 8EW from Friday 6 February 2026.

Eligible people will be invited by post or via text message when the lung health checks are in their area. They will then visit a mobile clinic which is usually parked at a supermarket car park or in a community location.

NHS lung cancer screening is currently being rolled out across Greater Manchester based on where it is needed most in a drive to help improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer. It has already been in Partington and Urmston and is due to come to more areas of Trafford and Greater Manchester later this year.

Dr Kate Jennings, a Trafford GP based at Altrincham Medical Practice, said: “NHS Lung Cancer Screening helps the NHS to spot any lung cancer symptoms earlier, when it is much more treatable.

“If you’re registered with a doctor mentioned on the list from the Altrincham area, are a smoker or used to smoke, you’ll be sent an invite through the post or via text message.

“Please do come along for your appointment. You’ll have a chat with a nurse and fill out a questionnaire to look at your risk. About half of the people who visit may also need a low-dose scan which we will also do on the mobile clinic.

“It will most likely offer you some reassurance. But it could save your life!”

NHS Lung Cancer Screening is jointly organised by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The service runs from 8am until 8pm Monday to Saturday. If you can’t make your initial appointment slot, you can simply call the booking line to rearrange.

So far more than 1,200 patients have been diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of NHS Lung Cancer Screening in Greater Manchester, yet, almost 80% of these patients were diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 meaning they were more likely to be eligible for curative treatment.

People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.

For more information about Lung Cancer Screening, please visit www.mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck

If you have worrying symptoms you should speak to your GP who will be able to refer you for tests if needed. You can read about symptoms of lung cancer here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms