Wales Chooses to Turn the Tide Against Lung Cancer

This World Lung Cancer Day is the third following the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation about lung cancer screening and comes just over a month since the Welsh Government chose to implement Wales’ fourth cancer screening programme, joining a growing number of nations worldwide. 

Lung cancer has long cast a long shadow over Wales, claiming more lives than any other. For years, Tenovus Cancer Care has campaigned alongside other cancer charities and healthcare professionals for lung cancer screening, recognising its potential to transform cancer patient outcomes. 

On 28 June 2025, the Welsh Government made a historic announcement that signals a new era in the fight against this devastating disease: the introduction of a national lung cancer screening programme. This is a momentous decision and is a clear recognition of the need for early detection of lung cancer in Wales.

Why Lung Cancer Screening is Crucial for Wales

Lung cancer is often referred to as a silent killer because its symptoms typically do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage, when treatment options are limited and survival rates are significantly lower.

In Wales, approximately 1,900 people die from lung cancer each year, making it the biggest cause of cancer death in the country. Shockingly, almost half of lung cancer cases in Wales are not diagnosed until Stage 4, when the chance of survival plummets to just 15%, compared to an 85% chance if detected at Stage 1. These stark statistics underscore the critical need for a proactive approach to lung cancer detection.

Wales also faces unique and specific challenges that make a screening programme even more vital. Deprivation is a significant factor, with people living in the most deprived areas of Wales being 2.75 times more likely to develop lung cancer.

This highlights a health inequality that a targeted lung cancer screening programme can help to address by reaching those at highest risk. The programme will focus on individuals aged 55 to 74 with a history of smoking, as smoking remains the primary cause of lung cancer. By integrating smoking cessation services into the screening programme, Wales aims to not only detect cancer early but also to support individuals in quitting smoking, thereby reducing future risk.

The benefits of lung cancer screening are well-documented. Low dose computed tomography (CT) scans can identify lung abnormalities before symptoms emerge, allowing for earlier intervention. Pilot programmes, such as the one conducted in North Rhondda, have demonstrated the effectiveness of screening, with two-thirds of diagnosed lung cancers detected at an early, more treatable stage.

This early detection is key to improving survival rates and offering more people the chance of a longer, healthier life. Beyond cancer detection, lung cancer screening checks can also identify other lung and cardiac conditions, and provide an opportunity for individuals to discuss their overall lung health and receive advice on how to quit smoking

A Driving Force for Change

The Welsh Government's decision is the culmination of years of tireless campaigning and advocacy from various organisations, with Tenovus Cancer Care playing a pivotal role. As a leading Welsh cancer charity, Tenovus Cancer Care has been at the forefront of the #TimeForTargetedLungCancerScreening campaign, highlighting the devastating impact of lung cancer in Wales and advocating for a national screening programme.

Tenovus Cancer Care's approach has been multi-faceted, combining robust research with powerful patient testimonies and direct engagement with policymakers. On World Lung Cancer Day 2023 eight charities/charity coalitions published an open letter drafted by Tenovus Cancer Care. This call to action was instrumental in building public and political pressure. The open letter was published in across the Welsh media and called directly on the Minister for Health and Social Services to implement a screening programme, drawing attention to England's commitment to a national rollout and the need for Wales to follow suit. 

We followed that by supporting the 2023/24 petition urging the Welsh Government to commit to targeted lung cancer screening, emphasising that lung cancer claims more lives annually in Wales than any other cancer.

Tenovus Cancer Care has also been actively engaged with members of the Senedd, including Rhondda MS Buffy Williams. We brought the information and the voices and experiences of cancer patients and their families to the decision-makers. Backbenchers then made the case to the members of the Welsh Government or encouraged Ministers to visit and better understand the concept and benefits of lung cancer screening.

This direct engagement, coupled with compelling evidence and persistent lobbying, has been crucial in shifting the political landscape and ensuring that lung cancer screening remained high on the Welsh Government's agenda.

Implementation and Hope

The announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles MS outlined a phased approach to implementation, with the first individuals expected to be invited for screening in 2027.

The Public Health Wales programme will likely utilise mobile scanning units to ensure equitable access across all parts of Wales, addressing the geographical disparities in healthcare access. Funding of £2.3 million has been committed for 2025-26 to expand the project team and initiate the programme, with an estimated annual cost of £13 million once fully implemented.

This decision marks a significant step forward in cancer services in Wales, demonstrating a commitment by the Welsh Government to preventative health and early intervention. 

By detecting lung cancer at its earliest stages, the national screening programme has the potential to save countless lives, reduce the burden of advanced disease, and improve the quality of life for many Welsh cancer patients. 

The success of this programme will not only be measured in diagnoses but also in the lives extended and the hope restored for individuals and families across Wales.