Current and former smokers can now get lungs checked at mobile unit, as pilot study aims to improve the early detection of cancer

The unit will be piloted in north Dublin and the north-east region in collaboration with GPs. Eventually, this form of screening should be rolled out nationally.

It is part of a €4.9m research project between the Irish Cancer Society and the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre in Dublin, and it will also examine improvements in diagnosis and treatment over six years. The patients will be individually invited.

It will offer rapid blood tests, including liquid biopsies, to assess the best treatment options, with a view to making the treatments more tailored and personalised.

The research will test immunotherapies – treatments that harness the power of our immune system – to treat patients with a specific kind of lung cancer (KRAS-mutant), which is particularly challenging to treat and is common in Ireland.

Around 2,590 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in Ireland every year.

It is the fifth-most common cancer in Ireland and usually affects people over the age of 50.

Lung cancer can be treated with surgery, drug therapies and radiotherapy.

Averil Power, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society, said: "This historic investment by the Irish Cancer Society marks a turning point for lung cancer in Ireland.

"Lung cancer kills more Irish people every year than any other cancer, mainly because it is diagnosed late when it is difficult to treat. We are confident this pilot programme will save lives by detecting cancer early.

"We hope that in time it will lead to a free national lung check programme for all Irish people at high risk of getting lung cancer."

She added that "this will make it easier for patients to access our free advice, counselling, peer support, hospital transport and other services, and provide a model for other hospitals to follow".

The programme is devised and led by Jarushka Naidoo, Professor of Medical Oncology at the Royal College of Surgeons, a practising medical oncologist in Beaumont Hospital.

Prof Naidoo said the charity's services "will be integrated into the patient journey for all cancer patients in Beaumont Hospital, who will receive tailored resources as well as having access to the Irish Cancer Society's extensive patient support services".

This headline was edited on October 30 to change 'scheme' to 'pilot study'