Feasibility of home urine collection for lung health check
Finding lung cancer early saves lives. Currently, the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check offers chest scans to people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked. However, some people find hospital scans daunting or may not qualify under current rules. Researchers at the University of Liverpool want to know if people would be happy to use a simple home urine test kit instead. The test looks for tiny natural sugar molecules called GAGs that can change when cancer is present. This study will invite around 1,000 people who have already been sent an NHS lung health check invite in Cheshire and Merseyside. Participants simply collect a urine sample at home and post it back. The results will not change your current care, but they will help scientists design better, easier ways to detect lung cancer in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Catching lung cancer at its earliest stage makes it far easier to treat successfully. The NHS currently runs a Targeted Lung Health Check programme in certain areas, offering low-dose chest scans to people aged 55 to 74 who have a history of smoking. While these scans save lives, not everyone takes up the offer, and some people at risk may miss out because they do not smoke enough to qualify under standard guidelines.
Researchers are investigating whether a simple home urine test could help. The body produces natural chemical markers called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which can show up in urine at different levels if cancer starts to develop. Using a postal kit to test for these markers could make screening far more convenient and accessible, reaching people who might otherwise avoid a hospital visit.
This trial is a feasibility study run by the University of Liverpool. Its main goal is to find out whether people are willing and able to collect a urine sample at home and post it back to a lab. It also looks at whether offering a home kit encourages more people to engage with their standard NHS lung checks.
By taking part, you help scientists understand how practical this testing method is in real life. If successful, this research will pave the way for larger trials to confirm whether urine tests can reliably spot early lung cancer and improve long-term screening across the NHS.
Key takeaways
- Tests whether people are willing to use a simple home urine kit for lung health research.
- Aimed at people aged 55 to 75 who have smoked and received an NHS lung health check invite in Cheshire and Merseyside.
- No hospital visits, injections, or medications are involved.
- Urine results are purely for research and will not replace or change your usual NHS care.
- Taking part helps researchers design larger studies to improve early cancer detection.
Who may be eligible?
You may be able to join this study if you are between 55 and 75 years old, have smoked at any point in your life, and have already received an invitation to the Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme (from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital).
It does not matter whether you have already attended your NHS lung check, turned it down, or have not yet replied. Researchers are keen to hear from people across all of these groups to understand different viewpoints.
You cannot take part if you have chosen to opt out of NHS research data sharing, if you were not invited as part of this specific regional NHS check, or if you are unable to give informed consent to participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- I am between 55 and 75 years old.
- I have smoked cigarettes at some point in my life.
- I received an invitation to the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check in Cheshire and Merseyside.
- I have not opted out of NHS health data sharing.
- I am able to give informed consent to take part in research.
What does participation involve?
Taking part is designed to be straightforward and does not require any hospital or GP visits. If you are selected, you will receive an invitation letter and a collection pack in the post from the Liverpool University Biobank.
You will be asked to collect a small urine sample at home using the provided kit and post it back in a pre-paid package. There are no study medications to take and no scans or blood tests required for this study.
A portion of your sample will be sent securely to a specialist laboratory in Sweden (Elypta AB) to measure chemical markers. The study will run until autumn 2026. Because this is a pilot study to test the process, you will not receive personal test results, and your routine NHS care will carry on exactly as normal.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyLiverpool, England
Common questions
Will I get the results of my urine test?
No. The urine test is still in early development and is not yet approved as an official diagnostic tool, so researchers will not send you personal test results.
Does this test replace my NHS lung health check scan?
No. This study does not replace your standard NHS care. You should still attend your normal NHS Targeted Lung Health Check appointments if invited.
Do I have to visit a clinic or hospital?
No visits are needed for this research. The sample kit is posted to your home, and you post it back once you have collected your urine sample.
What happens to my urine sample?
Your sample is handled safely by the Liverpool University Biobank. A small part of it is sent to Elypta AB, a laboratory in Sweden funding the research, to test for specific natural chemical markers.
Can I stop taking part if I change my mind?
Yes. Participation is entirely up to you. You can choose to stop taking part at any point, and it will not change your relationship with your GP or your NHS healthcare.
How to find out more
Michael Davies
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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