What are the current NICE guidelines for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations?

Based on the provided NICE guidelines, there are no specific recommendations detailed for a lung cancer screening programme in asymptomatic high-risk populations ¹,². The guidelines primarily focus on the recognition, referral, diagnosis, and management of suspected or confirmed lung cancer ¹,².

For individuals with suspected lung cancer, the guidelines highlight the importance of early diagnosis and public awareness of characteristic symptoms and signs ¹. Referral for suspected lung cancer is guided by specific criteria, including chest X-ray findings that suggest lung cancer, or unexplained haemoptysis in people aged 40 years and over ². An urgent chest X-ray (to be performed within 2 weeks) is recommended for people aged 40 years and over if they have two or more unexplained symptoms, or if they have ever smoked and have one or more unexplained symptoms such as cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss, or appetite loss ². Additionally, an urgent chest X-ray may be considered for people aged 40 years and over with persistent or recurrent chest infection, finger clubbing, supraclavicular or persistent cervical lymphadenopathy, chest signs consistent with lung cancer, or thrombocytosis ². All people with a suspected diagnosis of lung cancer should be referred to a member of a lung cancer multidisciplinary team ¹.