Almost 100,000 Australians at high risk of lung cancer have accessed free screening in the first year of the Albanese Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program, with more than 230 primary lung cancers detected.
More than 285 Australians are joining the program each day on average, with early results showing the program is detecting cancer sooner and potentially saving hundreds of lives.
Lung cancer is Australia’s leading cause of cancer death, killing an estimated 9,000 people each year — about one every hour.
Early detection can change that. Screening can detect up to 70 per cent of lung cancers, and when found early, more than 65 per cent can be successfully treated.
In its first year, the landmark program has brought together leading health organisations and community partners to support a coordinated national rollout of education and training for health professionals and a national awareness campaign.
The program was designed in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to help ensure screening is accessible, culturally safe and responsive to the needs of First Nations participants. First Nations participants have made up more than 5 per cent of those screened.
The program uses low-dose CT scans to screen Australians at high risk of lung cancer, including people aged 50 to 70 with a history of smoking.
After screening, participants are supported to take the next step based on their results, whether that means returning for routine screening, undertaking closer monitoring, or being referred for specialist care.
Scans are now available in every state and territory, helping ensure eligible Australians can access screening no matter where they live.
Mobile screening has begun in northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory, bringing services closer to people in rural and remote communities where fixed screening options are limited. Through a partnership with Heart of Australia, 519 mobile scans have been completed, with additional services to be rolled out across the remaining states over the next 10 months.
For more information on the program, including eligibility and how to register for a free scan, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Lung cancer is one of Australia’s biggest killers and by the time patients present with symptoms, lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. If it is found early, treatment options are greater and are more likely to be effective.
“In its first year the free National Lung Cancer Screening Program is already potentially saving Australian lives.
“Almost 100,000 people across Australia have already taken up the opportunity to be scanned and I strongly urge people who are eligible to sign up too.”
Quote attributable to Mark Brooke, CEO Lung Foundation Australia:
“We are already seeing the impact of detecting lung cancer earlier, when treatment can be more effective and outcomes significantly improved.
“Lung cancer is often diagnosed after symptoms develop, which can affect treatment options and outcomes. By supporting earlier detection, this program is helping to identify lung cancer sooner and giving more Australians the opportunity for timely treatment and care.
“We congratulate the Australian Government on this important milestone and look forward to building on the program’s success in the years ahead.”
Quote attributable to Dorothy Keefe, CEO Cancer Australia:
“Cancer Australia is proud to have helped shape the National Lung Cancer Screening Program that is driving earlier detection, advancing equity, and saving lives.
“The program is delivering culturally safe, accessible care, ensuring those who need it most benefit from earlier detection and timely support.
“The successful implementation of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program reflects the strong commitment of healthcare providers and delivery partners to improving outcomes for people affected by lung cancer in Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Dawn Casey PSM, CEO National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation:
“When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are partners in designing a national program from day one, our people use it.
“Strong uptake of lung cancer screening by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the program's first year is not a happy accident; it is what happens when screening is built to be culturally safe, delivered through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and backed by a growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer workforce.
"Lung cancer claims more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives than any other cancer, and too often it is found too late. Early detection changes that, and it means more of our people are home with family, on Country, for longer.
"The lesson for every national health program is simple: co-design with the community-controlled sector is not a courtesy. It is the reason this program is working for our people."