The SUMMIT study is the largest lung cancer screening study of its kind in the UK. 

  • It launched in December 2018 and closed in May 2023, with two aims: 
  • to detect lung cancer early among at-risk Londoners
  • to support the development of a new blood test for the early detection of multiple cancer types, including lung cancer. 

The study also provides evidence to inform a potential national lung cancer screening programme. Currently, in England, people are offered screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancer, but not lung cancer.

SUMMIT is a collaboration between UCLH, UCL, the National Institute for Health Research UCLH Biomedical Research Centre and GRAIL (a US healthcare company focused on the early detection of cancer).

The study recruited over 13,000 people, aged 55-77, from north and east London. These are people who are at higher risk of lung and other cancers due to a significant smoking history.

Participants were invited via their GP practice to attend a lung health check at one of four locations: University College Hospital, Mile End Hospital, Finchley Memorial Hospital or King George Hospital. If eligible, they are asked if they would like to join the SUMMIT study and are offered a blood test and a low-dose CT scan of their lungs. Two further annual appointments take place. If signs for concern are seen in the first scan, these are followed up, depending on their severity, either immediately or at a three-month follow-up appointment. Early lung cancers are being detected and successfully treated through the SUMMIT study process.

More information on the SUMMIT study is available at: www.summitstudy.co.uk