Former Landlady Quits Smoking After 50 Years Following Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Jean Page, 73, credits NHS lung screening with saving her life after a diagnosis found cancer at an early, treatable stage.
By Megan Worthington
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a mobile health clinic van parked in a park.
A former pub landlady has successfully quit smoking after 50 years, crediting an early lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment with saving her life.
Jean Page, a 73-year-old grandmother-of-six from Marple, was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year after attending an NHS lung health check. The check took place onboard a mobile clinic parked at Hazel Grove Park and Ride in Stockport.
The NHS Lung Cancer Screening service, run by Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, invites individuals aged 55-74 who smoke or used to smoke and are registered with a GP in Greater Manchester. Mobile clinics visit different areas, with invites sent via post or text.
Jean, who previously ran The Windsor Castle pub in Marple, initially hesitated to attend the screening despite encouragement from friends, as she had no symptoms and preferred "not to know". However, after undergoing a health questionnaire and a CT scan at the mobile clinic, she was called back for further tests.
In February, Jean received her lung cancer diagnosis. She expressed disbelief due to the absence of symptoms, stating, "I actually had to ask them if they were sure they had the right person because I felt fine!"
“
"I was still walking my dog, Dolly, and didn’t have any noticeable symptoms so I wasn’t sure whether the NHS screening was really for me. I’m often the type of person who would rather not know. But a few people I knew had already been for their lung health check and they all said I should go so I thought I’d better get it done. I’d been smoking all my life and was still smoking when I went for my appointment but there was no judgement. I’d tried to give up a few times but it’s so addictive."
Following her diagnosis, Jean was offered support to quit smoking from Wythenshawe Hospital’s onsite service, CURE. She successfully quit with the team's help and nicotine replacement patches. Jean underwent surgery in April to remove the cancer and is recovering well.
“
"If I hadn’t gone for the screening, I wouldn’t have known anything was wrong. Who knows how long it would have been before it was found otherwise? I really believe it saved my life. ... But it’s much better to know, because then you can get help like I did. ... I had so much support from all the staff at Wythenshawe I can’t thank them enough."
Professor Matthew Evison, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Wythenshawe Hospital and Clinical Lead for Make Smoking History in Greater Manchester, praised Jean's recovery and emphasised the importance of quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis. He highlighted the specialist support available through the lung cancer service, including nicotine vapes and medication.
“
"Stopping smoking is one of the most important things anyone can do after a cancer diagnosis – it helps people recover from surgery, helps treatments work better and improves survival. It’s never too late to stop, and Jean is proof of that after 50 years."
Dr Sarah Taylor, Associate Medical Director for Primary Care at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, reiterated the significance of the NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme, noting that while most screenings do not detect cancer, early detection significantly improves treatability for those who do.
October is Stoptober. For more information on quitting smoking, visit makesmokinghistory.co.uk. Individuals aged 55-74 in Greater Manchester who smoke or have a history of smoking can receive free NHS Lung Cancer Screening. To re-book a screening or for more information, call 0161 529 0900 or visit mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck/.
