Man warns of ‘immediate action’ after being diagnosed with ‘silent killer’

A man was shocked to discover he was suffering from a disease known as the ‘silent killer’ on his birthday.

Owen McGrath, from Childwall, was told he had growing cancer in his left lung on his birthday following a CT scan. It came after the 71-year-old was invited to an appointment for a lung health check as part of a program running across Merseyside and Cheshire.

More than one million people in England, aged 55 to 74, who smoke or used to smoke, have already been invited for a free lung health check. The checks have saved lives across the region in Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and South Sefton by catching lung problems, including cancer, in the early stages, even before symptoms appear.

NHS checks are now set to roll out in Wirral and Warrington, followed by North Sefton. Owen said he’s grateful he didn’t skip his lung health check-up — and after treatment, he’s now cancer-free.

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He urges anyone invited to these appointments to “act immediately” because it could save their lives. Owen, 71, said: “I’m so glad I went to the check. I didn’t expect the scan to show anything, but later I got a phone call to say they found something.

“It was a shock but it meant I then had more in-depth scans and tests before confirming it was cancer. They told me on my birthday, but to be honest, I was glad they caught it.

“The treatment wasn’t too bad. When people think of lung cancer, they think it’s a death sentence, especially if the cancer grows like mine did, but that’s not true.

“The treatments they have now mean you have a chance of getting over it. I thought the treatment itself would be hard on me, but it turned out okay – and I’m still alive.

“I would say to anyone who is offered a lung health check, just do it. Act immediately. You can’t ignore a free check – it could save your life!”

Lung cancer is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it can develop without causing noticeable symptoms in its early stages. It is the UK’s biggest cancer killer, claiming more lives than breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers combined.

It is a particular problem in parts of Cheshire and Merseyside, where the number of people diagnosed with the disease is significantly above the national average.

In Cheshire and Merseyside, out of 35,800 CT scans carried out so far, 412 lung cancers were found, with 85% at early stages one or two. People diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage are almost 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose disease is caught late.

Targeted lung health checks identify those most at risk, who are then given a chest scan to rule out health problems or prompt further investigation or treatment. The checks will be offered to people on an ongoing basis for the next two years in Wirral from May 31 and in Warrington from early September, before moving to North Sefton in January 2026.

People invited to the screening will be sent an appointment via text or letter for a telephone conversation with a pulmonary health nurse. People considered to be at higher risk of lung cancer will be offered a low-dose CT scan in a mobile unit located in their community.

Dr Chris Warburton, Clinical Director of the Lung Health Check programme, said: “We are delighted that eligible people in Wirral and Warrington and then North Sefton will soon be able to have these checks. We have seen their amazing impact since the program was first launched in Liverpool a few years ago.

“Lung cancer can be difficult to detect early, which is why so many people are diagnosed when the disease has become incurable. But these checks help us diagnose more people earlier, when cancer is much easier to treat.

“That’s why we want everyone who is given an appointment to attend it. Chances are you don’t have any symptoms of lung problems – but you should check yourself whether you’re feeling well or not.

“For the majority of those who take part, everything will be fine, but for those who have something wrong, catching it early can make all the difference. Specific lung health checks are painless, quick, convenient and free, so if I get an appointment for one. Please don’t ignore it.”

For more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check program, click here.

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