Scotland cannot wait any longer for lung cancer screening
On 10th November 2026, the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) will host its first Scottish regional meeting at the Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling. It comes at a crucial moment for lung cancer services in Scotland. Across our NHS, clinicians and patients are clear: we need faster progress towards earlier diagnoses. This can be driven by a coordinated national effort, and we are fortunate to have established strong collaborative links between our health care professionals across the country.
The meeting will bring together leading voices in lung cancer from all regions in Scotland including Dr Beth Sage addressing rural service delivery; Dr David Dorward on the growing role of AI in pathology; Dr Debbie Cavers from the LungScot Study, and Dr Tasmin Sommerfield, Scottish Director of Screening from Public Service Delivery Scotland. Their insights—combined with open discussion and shared learning—will help outline the future of lung cancer care in Scotland.
Indeed, that future must include targeted lung cancer screening — and we look forward to Dr Sommerfield’s update. Lung cancer has the highest mortality of any cancer in Scotland, with 3,651 deaths in 2024, accounting for more than a fifth (22.3%) of all cancer deaths. We know diagnosis at an early stage saves lives. The UK National Screening Committee recommending screening for people aged 55–74 (with a history of smoking) across all four nations.
The benefits are clear to see across the border. England’s national programme is already saving lives, with nearly 12,500 lung cancers diagnosed to date — 75% at stage 1 or 2. Wales is at an advanced planning stage. Although screening has not been rolled out in Scotland as yet, there have been significant efforts behind the scenes, deriving plans for lung cancer screening to begin in 2027 in areas with the highest prevalence of lung cancer, with the intent for a rapid expansion across the country. However, patients are understandably worried about missing out on early detection.
Scotland now has robust local evidence that targeted screening works in our health system and reaches high‑risk populations. The question is no longer whether we can deliver screening, but whether we manage to do so at pace.
The challenges are real: workforce pressures, diagnostic capacity, and the need for investment. Although a national programme will require significant funding to set-up and maintain, the evidence suggests that lung cancer screening is cost-effective. However, the cost of a delayed roll-out is far greater—in lives lost, more complex treatments, and widening inequalities.
The UKLCC’s role is to support Scotland in accelerating progress. Our November meeting is an opportunity to confront barriers, share practical solutions and build momentum for a national screening programme that delivers for every community – as well as discuss other hot topics in lung cancer.
Please join us in Stirling on 10th November by registering here: https://www.uklcc.org.uk/index.php/uklcc-regional-meeting-scotland
The meeting has been instigated and organised by UKLCC. Sponsors have contributed funding towards this event in return for exhibition space. They have had no input into the agenda or the selection of speakers.
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