The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is Australia’s newest cancer screening program, and its for people aged 50 to 70 years of age, who currently smoke tobacco cigarettes or who have quit within the last 10 years. If this is you, please visit your GP or health practitioner to find out if you are eligible for the screening program.
Heart of Australia is the official service provider of mobile services for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. Heart of Australia’s clinics include a CT scanner, which means that participants in the program can access a CT scan in a remote community.
If you are eligible, your GP or health practitioner will write a referral for a CT scan, which will be sent to Heart of Australia, and a booking will be made for the next time the service visits the region.
On arrival at the truck, you will be greeted by Heart of Australia’s medical administration team who will confirm your details.
If there is a wait before your appointment, Heart of Australia can arrange separate waiting areas for men and women, either indoor or outdoor.
At your appointment time, you will meet the radiographer who will take the images of your chest. The radiographer will ask you some questions about your health before they start the CT scan.
The radiographer will then show you to the CT room, and ask you to remove any loose items such as glasses, phones or wallets, and show you where to lay down on the bed of the CT machine. You remain fully clothed throughout the process, however women should try to wear wire-free undergarments for their appointment. The door is left open whilst the radiographer is in the room. After you lay down, the radiographer will leave the room and close the door to operate the machine. If you prefer you can bring a support person, or a healthworker with you into the CT room.
The scan takes less than 5 minutes, and the results will be sent to the GP or health practitioner who referred you to the program.
Heart of Australia’s trucks include a wheelchair lift for people who are unable to climb the stairs to the clinic – and our friendly team are available to help or answer questions anytime throughout the process.