A major step forward in the early detection of lung cancer has been taken today with the launch of the Beaumont RCSI Irish Cancer Society Lung Health Check, a first-of-its-kind pilot clinical trial in Ireland.

Funded by the Irish Cancer Society, this initiative will bring life-saving lung health checks directly into the communities of North Dublin and the North East through mobile scanning units.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Ireland, claiming more lives than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer combined. Early detection is key to improving survival rates, and this initiative is designed to identify lung cancer and other lung conditions before symptoms appear.

The Lung Health Check, supported by the EU4Health SOLACE consortium and the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Fund, will invite high-risk individuals in selected GP practices, beginning with the Centric Health network in North Dublin and the North-East region to attend a lung health check at a mobile scanning unit. This service, operated by Alliance Medical Diagnostic Imaging, will be based in local GAA clubs, including Croke Park, bringing convenient screening to community locations for those invited.

Historic investment

In Ireland, around 60% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are detected at a later stage, when treatment options are more limited. However, introducing lung health checks for high-risk individuals using low dose CT scans has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by at least 20%. International evidence has found that the vast majority (80%) of patients diagnosed through similar programmes have early-stage lung cancer, when treatment is most effective and offers the best chance of cure.

This initiative is part of the €4.9 million Beaumont RCSI Irish Cancer Society Lung Outreach Programme, the largest single investment in lung cancer in Ireland’s history. It is led by consultant medical oncologist Professor Jarushka Naidoo. The announcement comes ahead of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on 28 March, highlighting the importance of public support in advancing cancer research and care.

Speaking ahead of the launch in Croke Park, Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Lung cancer is Ireland’s biggest cancer killer, mainly because it is diagnosed later when it is difficult to treat. This historic investment by the Irish Cancer Society marks a turning point for lung cancer in Ireland. It is the largest single investment in lung cancer in Ireland's history and is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of the Irish public through their support of days like Daffodil Day.

“We are confident this pilot programme will save lives by detecting cancer early, and we are hopeful that it will lead to a free National Lung Health Check programme for everyone in Ireland at high risk of lung cancer.

“We’re also delighted that this partnership will integrate Irish Cancer Society services within the care pathways in Beaumont Hospital. This will make it easier for patients to access our free advice, counselling, peer support, hospital transport and other services, and provide a model for other hospitals to follow.”

A major step forward

Professor Daniel Ryan, Respiratory Consultant at the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre and Clinical Lead of the Lung Health Check pilot, added: “Having a mobile lung health check in the community is a major step forward for lung cancer care in Ireland, and we are proud to be leading this work. If you receive an invitation, I strongly encourage you to take part. A simple scan could make all the difference – catching lung cancer early can greatly improve outcomes.

“This pilot is breaking down barriers that have long stood in the way of early detection of lung cancer, bringing together partners across the healthcare system. The support from the Irish Cancer Society, and our collaboration with Centric Health GP practices, Alliance Medical Diagnostic Imaging, and the GAA clubs in the region will ultimately save lives.”

The cutting-edge mobile scanning unit is on-site in Croke Park for the launch today, offering attendees the opportunity to see first-hand how the technology will be used in the community.

The first invitations for the Lung Health Check will be sent by the select GP practices in the coming months with the first participants expected to undergo screening by early summer. The pilot clinical trial will focus on high-risk individuals, particularly current or former smokers, with the aim of assessing the impact of community-based lung health screening in Ireland.