EXPERTS DEMAND LUNG CANCER SCREENING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

NI falling behind rest of UK despite clear evidence and national recommendations

Belfast - Doctors, public health professionals and patient advocates are today (20th November 2025) calling for the urgent introduction of lung cancer screening at Northern Ireland’s first dedicated national lung cancer conference.¹ 

“Lung cancer is Northern Ireland’s biggest cancer killer,” says Dr Wendy Anderson, respiratory physician, Antrim, Chair of the Lung Cancer Clinical Reference Group in Northern Ireland, and spokesperson for the Ulster Thoracic Society: “Too often it’s diagnosed late because it may not cause symptoms in its early stages. Screening gives us a chance to find it early and save more lives.” 

Around half (44%) of people in Northern Ireland are diagnosed at stage four of the disease, when curative treatment is rarely possible.2 Currently, just 15.9% are still alive five years after diagnosis.² This compares poorly with many other European countries’ five-year survival rates^.3,4

In Northern Ireland, people in the most deprived socioeconomic quintile are twice as likely to develop lung cancer than those in the most affluent.^2,5 Also, cases of lung cancer in Northern Ireland have doubled in rural and coastal areas over the past two decades, driven mainly by an ageing population.⁵

Cathy Brokenshire, lung cancer campaigner, widow of former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the RT Hon James Brokenshire MP, and a Director of the UK Lung Cancer Coalition, adds: “Lung cancer screening offers a vital opportunity to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes, particularly in the most deprived communities.” 

Lung cancer screening in England began in 2019 as the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, targeting areas of high deprivation. NHS England has since rolled out its national programme with, to date (July 2025), over 1.4 million people (aged 55-74 with a smoking history) attending lung health checks and over 8000 lung cancers diagnosed — 76% at an early stage.⁶ Scotland and Wales have both conducted pilots, with the Welsh Government recently announcing implementation beginning in 2027.⁷ 

In Northern Ireland, however, there has been limited progress.

“Challenges in both our healthcare system and the commissioning of lung cancer services have kerbed headway in screening,” adds Dr Anderson. “However, now it’s time for action. We cannot let Northern Ireland lag further behind.” 

The Northern Ireland Lung Cancer Conference is taking place on the 20th of November at The Mac, Exchange Street West, Belfast - and on the 21st November at the Harbour Commissioners Office, Belfast, and is being hosted by the Ulster Thoracic Society and supported by the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC). As well as calling for urgent implementation on screening, the conference will feature other expert-led sessions on topics such as smoking cessation and service development. 

For further information about the conference visit:  https://www.redhotirons.com/ulster-thoracic-society/northern-ireland-lung-cancer-conference

References:

1. Northern Ireland Lung Cancer Conference,  20th and 21st November 2025,  Harbour Commissioners Office, Belfast https://www.redhotirons.com/ulster-thoracic-society/northern-ireland-lung-cancer-conference

2. Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Lung Cancer in Northern Ireland Factsheet. Accessed November 2025: https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/FileStore/OfficialStatistics1993-2022/November24release/Lung_cancer_factsheet.pdf

3. IHE, Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe 2019 – disease burden, costs and access to medicines, July 2019.  Accessed November 2025: https://ihe.se/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IHE-Report-2019_7_.pdf

4. Cancer Research UK, Lung Cancer Survival. Accessed November 2025: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/lung-cancer#lung_stats2

5. Northern Ireland Cancer Registry statistics. Accessed November 2025 at: https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/CancerInformation/official-statistics/BySite/Lungcancer/

6. NHS England National Lung Cancer Screening Programme updated data. 

7. Welsh Government Written Statement June 2025: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-national-lung-screening-programme-wales

8. Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Screening.  The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial Team. N Engl J Med 2011; 365:395-409 Accessed November 2025:  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1102873

9. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Lung Cancer Clinical Expert Group Screening Briefing. Accessed November 2025 at: https://roycastle.org/about-us/campaigns/changing-the-odds/changing-the-odds-a-briefing-on-lung-cancer-screening-in-england/

10. UK National Screening Committee Recommends UK Wide Lung Cancer Screening Programme. Accessed November 2025: https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/lung-cancer/