RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Targeted Abdominal CT in Conjunction With Lung Cancer Screening

This study aims to make lung cancer screening even better by exploring if a quick scan of the tummy area can be added at the same time. This could help find other serious health problems, such as kidney cancer or a dangerous swelling in a major blood vessel (AAA), earlier. Researchers want to see if mentioning this extra scan in the initial invitation changes how many people come for lung screening. They also want to test out new ways to do the tummy scan efficiently so it doesn't take too much extra time. This study is for people aged 55-70 who are invited for lung cancer screening and live in certain areas of Yorkshire. It will help us understand if a wider study of this combined scanning approach is feasible.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Cambridge

Enrolment target

6,272

Start

11 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2027

Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer)Kidney Cancers AAA - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Renal Stones

What is this study about?

When health problems like cancer are found early, they are often easier to treat. In the UK, the NHS offers lung cancer screening to people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked, to find lung problems early. If you're at a higher risk of lung cancer, you're offered a lung scan.

People who smoke are also at higher risk of other serious health issues in their belly area, such as kidney cancer or a weakness in a main blood vessel called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A previous study looked at whether a quick scan of the belly could be added to the lung scan. Most people thought this was a good idea, and the scan found a similar number of serious problems as other screening programmes like breast or bowel cancer screening.

However, in that earlier study, adding the belly scan took too much extra time and people didn't have long to decide if they wanted it. This new study wants to improve this process. It will look at whether simply mentioning the possibility of an abdominal scan in the first invitation letter changes how many people attend. It will also test ways to add the belly scan more efficiently, so it doesn't make the overall appointment too long. The study will also check if this new approach is acceptable to people and if it could be used for a much larger study in the future. This is a chance to help researchers improve how we screen for important health conditions.

Key takeaways

This study is about improving lung cancer screening.
It explores adding an abdominal scan to find other health problems like kidney cancer.
The study looks at how to make the combined scan efficient.
It's for people aged 55-70 invited to lung cancer screening in specific Yorkshire areas.
Participation could help improve early detection methods for many people.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people aged 55 to 70 years old who are invited for their first lung cancer screening assessment through the NHS in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, or Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance. You need to be registered with a GP in England.

If you're invited to take part, you'll be placed into one of two groups at random. One group will get the usual lung cancer screening invitation. The other group will get an invitation that also mentions the possibility of an abdominal scan. Being invited doesn't mean you'll definitely get an abdominal scan.

If you're in the group that could get an abdominal scan, you'll only be offered it if you are found to be at high risk of lung cancer after your initial assessment and are then offered a lung scan. Also, you shouldn't have had an abdominal scan in the last 12 months or have one planned in the next 3 months. There are some standard reasons why you might not be able to have scans, such as if your weight is too high for the scanner or you can't lie flat.

Quick self-check

Are you aged between 55 and 70?
Are you being invited for your first NHS lung cancer screening?
Are you registered with a GP in England and live in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, or Humber and North Yorkshire?
Have you NOT had an abdominal scan in the last year, or one booked in the next 3 months?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, the first step is receiving one of two types of invitation letters for lung cancer screening. If you respond to the invitation and are assessed as being at high risk for lung cancer, you'll be offered a lung scan. Depending on which group you're in, you might also be offered a quick abdominal scan at the same appointment. No extra visits or follow-up appointments solely for the study are mentioned. The overall duration of your involvement would be during your lung cancer screening process.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help improve future screening programmes, potentially leading to earlier detection of serious conditions like kidney cancer or AAA for many people. You might also benefit from finding out about potential health issues in your abdomen earlier than you otherwise would. The main risks involve the very small chance of radiation exposure from the scans, which is kept as low as possible. You are always free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time, without affecting your usual NHS care.

Locations (1)

Hull Teaching Hospitals Trust
Hull, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is lung cancer screening?

It's an NHS check-up for people aged 55-74 who have smoked, to find lung cancer early when it's easier to treat.

What is an abdominal scan for?

An abdominal (tummy) scan can help find other serious health problems like kidney cancer or a dangerous swelling called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Will having an abdominal scan take a long time?

The study aims to find ways to add the abdominal scan to your lung scan appointment efficiently, so it doesn't take much extra time.

Will I definitely get an abdominal scan if I join?

No, you will only be offered an abdominal scan if you are put into the group that includes this option, and if you are assessed as high risk for lung cancer and offered a lung scan.

Where is this study happening?

This study is taking place in two NHS lung cancer screening locations in Yorkshire.

How to find out more

Grant Stewart

gds35@cam.ac.uk 01223 331199 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.