The Lung Cancer Screening Unit is returning to Kirkby this month as part of an extended community screening programme aimed at saving lives through early detection and diagnosis.
From 15 December 2025 to 6 February 2026, the mobile screening unit will be based at Kirkby Town Centre (The Elephant), offering quick, safe and free lung health checks to eligible residents.
To promote uptake of the screening offer among Knowsley residents’ local health and community partners have designed and delivered a health promotion campaign known as ‘Every Breath Matters.’
The health and community collective behind the Every Breath Matters campaign is led by One Knowsley in partnership with Kirkby Primary Care Network, Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and funded by ReCITE (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine). The campaign team have spent the year working closely with local partners, community organisations and residents to build awareness, support wellbeing and deliver informed conversations about lung cancer screening through community connection and acts of kindness.
Who is eligible?
Knowsley residents aged 55-74 years old, who smoke or have previously smoked, can access FREE NHS lung health checks in Kirkby.
The health checks are invite only and known eligible residents will have received text invites. Residents can check if their status is known by contacting their GP and ensuring their records are up to date.
I think I’m eligible but haven’t had an invite?
If you are aged 55–74, have ever smoked, and live in Kirkby:
- Check your post and phone.
- Book your lung health check when invited.
- If you haven’t received an invite, call 0151 254 3032
Residents can also check if their status is known by contacting their GP and ensuring their records are up to date.
Why is lung screening important?
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer. Lung screening can provide early diagnosis and potentially save a life.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said: “Early detection of lung cancer is vital and that is why programmes such as Every Breath Matters campaign are hugely important.
“If you think you are eligible but that your GP might not hold the correct records, please contact them as soon as possible. I also urge any residents who receive a text inviting them for a screening to do so.”