More than three-quarters (76%) of lung cancers identified by the programme were found at the earliest stages of one and two. When the cancer is detected early, people are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS cancer director, said: ‘These lung checks can save lives, so it's fantastic that the NHS has been able to diagnose thousands of people at an early stage when lung cancer is potentially curable.

‘The targeted lung health check programme is a new model of care with a community focus, making it easier for people to come forward in a way that works for them, whether in a supermarket car park or a sports stadium. It has been amazing to see the response, and initiatives like this will make a big difference in improving cancer survival for people throughout the country.'

NHS data shows there was a 7.4% improvement in lung cancer early diagnosis rates by the NHS last year (April 2023 to March 2024) compared to the period before Covid (March 2019 to February 2020).

Lung cancer is the third commonest type of cancer in the UK, with 72% of cases caused by smoking, leading to around 35,000 deaths each year.

Under the programme, current and past smokers aged between 55 and 74 are invited to speak with a nurse or other healthcare professional about their lung health and, if they have a higher chance of developing cancer, are offered a CT scan of their lungs on a mobile scanning unit.

The UK National Screening Committee and Government announced the Targeted Lung health Check programme should be fully rolled out across the country by 2030.