Key Points
- Stockport residents are being urged to “get curious” about their lung health at Stockport Pride on 26 July 2026.
- NHS Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is working with OUTpatients, the UK’s LGBTIQ+ Cancer Charity, on the awareness campaign.
- The campaign aims to raise awareness of NHS Lung Cancer Screening and reduce barriers to seeking help.
- Research cited by the campaign says LGBTIQ+ people are more likely to smoke and may be less likely to seek medical attention when unwell.
- The health information will be shared at Stockport Pride in the town centre and across social media.
- NHS Lung Cancer Screening in Greater Manchester is for people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke.
- More than 1,700 patients in Greater Manchester have been diagnosed with lung cancer through Lung Health Checks, with almost 80% found at stage 1 or 2.
- People with possible lung cancer symptoms are being told to contact their GP straight away rather than waiting for a screening invitation.
Stockport (Manchester Mirror) July 24, 2026 – uk/local/stockport/">Stockport residents are being invited to learn more about lung health at Stockport Pride this weekend, as NHS teams use the event to promote screening awareness in a community setting.
As reported by Marketing Stockport, the campaign is designed to encourage people to think about lung health in a way that feels accessible, clear and judgement-free. The message will be delivered at the Pride event itself and through wider social media activity.
The article says the campaign is part of the “Curious” initiative, which aims to break down barriers around lung cancer screening and show that the service is quick and easy to use. It has been shaped with input from community members across Greater Manchester.
Why target the LGBTQI+ community?
The campaign is aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community because research cited in the report says these groups are more likely to smoke and may also delay seeking medical help when they are unwell. That makes awareness of lung cancer screening particularly important.
OUTpatients says the aim is to make sure people know NHS Lung Cancer Screening is there for them, whether they still smoke or gave up years ago. Communications and Public Affairs Manager Ezra Johnson said the service could help save lives by encouraging people to attend when invited.
The campaign is also intended to reassure people that the appointment is straightforward. Visitors are expected to speak to a nurse, complete a questionnaire and, for some, have a low-dose scan on the truck if needed.
What is NHS Lung Cancer Screening?
In Greater Manchester, the screening programme is jointly organised by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with support from the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. It is aimed at people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke.
Eligible people are invited by post or text when a mobile clinic is visiting their area. Clinics run from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and appointments can be rearranged if the original slot is not convenient.
Oliver Butterworth, Senior Programme Manager at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said the checks help doctors spot lung cancer earlier, when it is more treatable. He added that most visitors receive reassurance that everything is OK, but for some, the appointment could be lifesaving.
How effective have the checks been?
The report says more than 1,700 patients have been diagnosed with lung cancer through Lung Health Checks in Greater Manchester so far. Almost 80% of those cases were found at stage 1 or 2, which is important because earlier diagnosis usually improves survival chances.
The article says people diagnosed at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is found late. That is why health teams continue to push screening awareness and encourage eligible people to attend appointments.
The programme is designed for people who do not already have symptoms of lung cancer but may still be at risk of developing it. That distinction matters because symptoms should be treated as a separate urgent health concern.
What symptoms should people watch for?
The report lists a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain or aches, breathlessness, unexplained weight loss and fatigue as possible symptoms of lung cancer. Anyone with these concerns is being advised to speak to a GP straight away.
Health teams stress that people should not wait for a lung health check if they already have symptoms. Screening is intended for those without symptoms who may still be at risk, while symptoms need direct medical assessment.
The article also notes that AstraZeneca has sponsored the programme, but did not take part in creating or organising it.
Background
The campaign is part of a wider summer run of Pride events in Greater Manchester, with OUTpatients also appearing at Salford Pride, Sparkle Weekend, Wigan Pride and Manchester Village Pride. That gives the charity a series of public-facing opportunities to talk to people about lung health in informal settings.
The message behind the campaign is not limited to one event. It is being shared more widely through Pride season and social media, which suggests the organisers want to keep the topic visible beyond Stockport Pride itself.
Prediction
For Stockport residents attending Pride, the campaign may increase awareness of NHS Lung Cancer Screening and prompt some eligible people to respond when their invitation arrives. That could be especially relevant for people who have not previously thought of themselves as at risk.
For the LGBTQI+ audience, the campaign may help reduce hesitation around medical appointments by making the service feel more welcoming and less clinical. Over time, that could support earlier diagnosis and improve outcomes for some patients.
For local health services, using Pride as an outreach platform may help them reach people who do not always engage with traditional health messaging. If the approach continues to work, similar campaigns could appear more often at community events across Greater Manchester.
