A community-based lung cancer screening pilot achieved a 75% participation rate (6690 of 8921 invited individuals), with 1132 completing a baseline visit and 2.7% referred for suspected cancer.
Observational (n=6,690)
Yes
A community-based targeted lung cancer screening pilot in Ireland demonstrated high participation rates (75%) and successfully identified high-risk individuals requiring further investigation.
Abstract Introduction The Lung Health Check (LHC) is Ireland’s first pilot of targeted lung cancer screening, funded by the EU4Health (SOLACE consortium) and the Irish Cancer Society. Methods The LHC is a prospective study evaluating community-based lung cancer screening via a mobile unit for high-risk individuals identified in primary care. Under a pre-defined consent declaration, adults aged 55-74 from 19 primary care health practices (North Dublin, Northeast) were invited by letter and screened by telephone. Eligibility required current or former smoking and PLCO2012 (Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian) ≥1.51% or LLPv2 (Liverpool Lung Project) ≥2.5%. Eligible participants attend a LHC at one of four community sites for respiratory assessment, spirometry, smoking cessation and low-dose CT (LDCT). LDCTs are reported by thoracic radiologists supported by AI, with a 10-day turnaround. Follow up imaging occurs at 3 months (T0 + 3) for indeterminate nodules or at 1 year (T1) if baseline (T0) was clear. Suspected lung cancers are referred to Rapid Access Lung Cancer Clinic (RALCC). Incidental findings and airflow obstruction are managed by specialists or primary care. The primary endpoint is feasibility (attendance/invitations). Secondary endpoints include cancer and nodule detection, incidental findings and cost-effectiveness. The target sample size (N = 2183) is based on a population of 29,000, assuming 30% participation and 27.5% eligibility, from UK and Irish data. Results As of October 16th, we have invited 8921 individuals. Importantly, 6690 consented to and completed eligibility screening, giving a 75% participation rate (Figure 1A). We identified 1494 (18%) as eligible. Among eligible participants, 40% are female, and 35% current smokers. Median age is 67 (IQR: 63-71), and median pack-years 35 (22-49). Risk score comparison in eligible participants showed median PLCO2012 and LLPv2 scores of 2.38 (IQR: 1.1-4.1) and 5.08 (IQR: 3.1-7.1), respectively (Figure 1B). Overall, 62% qualified by both PLCO2012 and LLPv2, 28% by LLPv2 only, and 10% by PLCO2012 only (Figure 1C). To date, 1132 participants have completed a baseline LHC visit and 1107 have a reported T0 LDCT (100% within turnaround). Of these, 85.5% are proceeding to T1, 11.8% require T0 + 3 LDCT, and 2.7% were referred to RALCC. Incidental findings prompted referral in 15.6%. Conclusions Interim assessment of the LHC pilot indicates a high level of participation in community-based lung cancer screening, exceeding international experience so far. The ongoing pilot will inform national policy on targeted population-based screening in Ireland. This abstract is funded by: EU4Health Project, Solace Consortium, Irish Cancer Society
Herron et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Lung cancer (n=6,690). Community-based lung cancer screening (Lung Health Check) was evaluated on Feasibility (attendance/invitations). A community-based lung cancer screening pilot achieved a 75% participation rate (6690 of 8921 invited individuals), with 1132 completing a baseline visit and 2.7% referred for suspected cancer.