Your follow-up lung scan
“If we've invited you back, please come back”
If you have been invited for a follow-up lung scan as part of the lung cancer screening programme, it is really important that you attend your appointment – even if you feel fit and healthy.
A follow-up scan allows us to look at your lungs again and check for any changes since your previous scan. In most cases, everything is fine - it does not necessarily mean that you have lung cancer.
Why have I been invited for another scan?
There are two main reasons.
1. Sometimes your first lung scan may show something that the healthcare team would like to keep an eye on.
This does not necessarily mean that you have lung cancer. There are many reasons why something may appear on a lung scan, and most findings will not be cancer (for information on some of the other things it might be, visit our ‘incidental findings’ webpage).
2. It simply may be time for your next regular lung cancer screening appointment.
Things may change over time, so the best way for us to be sure is to check your lungs again.
Comparing your new scan with your previous scan helps the healthcare team see whether anything has changed
Why is it important to attend?
Please don't miss your follow-up scan.
Even if you feel completely well and have no problems with your breathing, it is important to attend. Lung cancer and other lung conditions do not always cause symptoms in their early stages.
Your follow-up scan can:
- check whether anything seen on your previous scan has changed
- provide reassurance if there are no concerning changes
- spot changes that might need more tests
- help find lung cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
If we've invited you back, please come back. Your follow-up scan is an important part of looking after your lung health.
What difference could it make?
Here’s a great example of a success story. William attended his follow-up lung scan after something was identified during his first check.
His follow-up scan found lung cancer at stage 2, allowing him to receive treatment. Finding it at this earlier stage made a big difference. Ater successful treatment, William is back riding his bike again. Read William's story: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/trip-asda-saved-my-life
What happens at my scan?
Your follow-up will usually involve another low-dose CT scan of your lungs.
The scan itself is quick and painless. You will lie flat on a bed which moves through the CT scanner while pictures are taken of your lungs. The actual scan takes less than a minute.
You will then be contacted about your results and told if you need any further appointments or tests.
I feel well – do I really need another scan?
Yes. It is important to attend even if you feel perfectly well. Changes in the lungs, including early lung cancer, may not cause any noticeable symptoms.
The purpose of your follow-up scan is to look for changes that you may not be able to feel yourself.
What if I can't make my appointment?
If you cannot attend, please contact the team rather than missing the appointment.
If the date or time is not convenient, contact the lung cancer screening team as soon as possible. We can arrange another appointment for you.
Call 020 3839 8911 or email inl.nelondon.lcs@nhs.net.
If you are worried about having the scan, need an interpreter or have any other concerns that might make it difficult for you to attend, please contact us. We will do what we can to support you.
For more information about lung cancer screening, visit our webpage.