The National Lung Cancer Screening Program aims to achieve better health outcomes by finding lung cancer early and saving lives through early detection.
Lung cancer begins when cells grow out of control in the lungs.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia.
But if found early, most cases can be treated successfully.
Just like other cancer screening programs, lung screening works by finding signs of cancer before you have symptoms.
The goal is to find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat.
Lung screening uses a low-dose CT scan to look for any small lumps, called nodules.
Nodules are small lumps of tissue in the lungs.
They are very common – and most nodules are not lung cancer.
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is for people who meet age and smoking history criteria and do not have symptoms, aiming to find lung cancer at an early stage.
The program is targeted towards people who would benefit most from lung screening.
You are eligible for the program if you:
- Are aged between 50 and 70 years, and
- Show no signs or symptoms that suggest lung cancer (for example, a persistent cough or coughing up blood), and
- Smoke tobacco cigarettes or have quit within the past 10 years, and
- Have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.
You do not need to quit smoking to participate in the program.
If you are between the ages of 50 and 70, and currently smoke cigarettes or have previously smoked cigarettes, speak with your doctor to discuss if you are eligible to participate in the program.
Your doctor can help you work out your ‘pack-years’, which is a measure to understand your smoking history.
To be eligible, you must have a tobacco cigarette smoking history of at least 30 ‘pack-years’.
We understand that ‘pack-years’ may be tricky to work out.
We know you might not be able to remember specific details, so work with your doctor on what you can remember.
If you are eligible for the program, your doctor will give you a low-dose CT request form to book a free scan at a radiology clinic.
Let the radiology clinic know you are participating in the Lung Cancer Screening Program.
The low-dose CT scan used for lung cancer screening is free and covered by Medicare.
If you live in a rural or remote community, access to mobile lung cancer screening may be available in your area.
You could still be at risk of lung cancer even if you are not currently eligible for screening under the program.
Keep checking with your doctor to see if you become eligible for lung screening under the program.
Please speak to your doctor about your lung cancer risks and for support to quit smoking.
On the day of your scan, please wear comfortable clothes.
When you get to the radiology clinic, let the receptionist know you have arrived.
You may need to change into a gown for the scan.
A radiographer will take you through for your scan.
You will be lying on the table for between 5 and 10 minutes.
You should not feel any pain from the scan.
You will not need to have any needles.
You will lie flat on your back with your arms above your head while the radiographer takes pictures of your chest.
You will need to hold your breath for a few seconds and stay still.
A radiologist will review your images to look for any nodules.
They will then write a report that will be provided to your doctor and the National Cancer Screening Register.
Look out for your results.
The National Cancer Screening Register will let you know when these are ready and will let you know what you need to do next.
This may be to have a scan again in two years’ time, or you may need to see your doctor to talk about your results.
You will receive a reminder when it's time for your next screen.
Screening every 2 years until the age of 70 is the best way to find lung cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
For more information, visit National Lung Cancer Screening Program