National Lung Cancer Screening Program

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) aims to detect lung cancer early, in eligible Australians without symptoms of lung cancer by using a low-dose computed tomography scan (low-dose CT scan). All scans as a part of the program will be covered by Medicare.

It is important to detect lung cancer early, when access to treatment is most effective. A lung cancer diagnosis in Australians usually occurs once the cancer has spread beyond the lungs, generally in the later stages of diagnosis.

The NLCSP will save the lives of 12,000 Australians over the next ten years by diagnosing over 70% of cases at an earlier stage.

You are eligible for free screening if you are:

• Between 50 and 70 years old
• Show no signs of symptoms of lung cancer (for example coughing up blood, shortness of breath)
• Have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking and are still smoking or have quit in the past 10 years.

Your doctor can help you work out your ‘pack-years’ based on how many cigarettes you smoked and for how many years.

If you think you have symptoms suggestive of lung cancer:

• A cough that doesn’t go away
• Coughing up blood
• Being short of breath for no reason
• Getting very tired or losing weight
• An ache or pain when you breathe or cough
• Chest or shoulder pain that does not go away

Book an appointment with your GP right away.

If you are wanting to learn more about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, your eligibility, how to get a scan and understanding your results please visit the National Lung Cancer Screening Program Website for resources.

Lung Foundation Australia recognise the importance of equitable access, cultural safety, and co-design, reducing stigma, supporting smoking cessation efforts, and education/ training for healthcare professionals.

In the lead up to the launch of the NLCSP, LFA, in collaboration with the Australian Government and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, have developed a comprehensive CPD accredited healthcare workforce eLearning, as a part of the consortia with the Daffodil Centre. LFA have been leading work to ensure that priority populations are supported to access the NLCSP, through engagement with priority population stakeholders and the establishment of the Lung Cancer Screening Consumer Committee.

The aim of the committee is to provide feedback on resources, communication materials and to ensure the NLCSP is guided by consumer advice. To do this we need your help to identify the positive and negative issues you may have experienced in access to and delivery of healthcare services.

We are always open to welcoming new members to the committee and would be interested to hear from:

• People living in rural and remote communities
• People living with a disability
• People living with a mental illness
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• people in the LGBTIQA+ communities

As this is a targeted program the committee particularly wants to hear from people who are currently smoking or who have a history of cigarette smoking. We have long championed for fairness and rest assured this committee will be a positive, non-judgemental and safe environment for you.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are being supported by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) as part of their contribution to the NLCSP.

Committee members will be recruited via an expression of interest and come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Whether you are personally affected by lung cancer or simply driven by a desire to make a difference, we welcome individuals to apply.

Applications will go through an assessment process as there are a limited number of committees positions available. Committee members will be remunerated for their time and expected to attend at minimum a one-hour meeting per month.

If you would like to submit an expression of interest to join the Lung Cancer Screening Program Consumer Representative Committee, please complete the form here.

If you have any questions regarding the committee selection or requirements, please email advocacy@lungfoundation.com.au or call 1800654301

As a result of engagement by consumer advocates and Lung Foundation Australia, the then Minister for Health tasked Cancer Australia, in October 2019, with assessing the feasibility of conducting a lung cancer screening service in Australia. Information on the Cancer Australia enquiry can be found  here.

Lung Foundation Australia made a submission in support of a national screening program which you can read read here.

Cancer Australia’s report recommended lung cancer screening in Australia and found it would be cost-effective and save over 12,000 lives over the first 10 years of the program.

Lung Foundation Australia launched the Lung Cancer Blueprint: The Next Breath, which recommends the Australian Government fund and implement a targeted national lung cancer screening program.

The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) reviewed the evidence and approved the feasibility of a targeted national lung cancer screening program in Australia.

In May 2023, the Australian Government announced their budget, which included $264m over four years for lung cancer screening, and $101m per year thereafter. Read our statement following the funding announcement of this life-saving program.

The work doesn’t stop here. We are committed to working with the Australian Government in the implementation of this new cancer screening program. We recognise the importance of equitable access, cultural safety and co-design, reducing stigma, supporting smoking cessation efforts, education and training for health professionals, and supporting Australians through the healthcare system.

 Lung cancer is often detected too late when treatment options are limited

 Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia

 Each year over 13,000 Australians are diagnosed with lung cancerⁱ

 Lung cancer has the lowest five-year survivorship out of the top cancersⁱⁱ

• Lung cancer – 26%
• Bowel cancer – 71%
• Cervical cancer – 75%
• Breast cancer – 92%
• Melanoma skin cancer – 94%
• Prostate cancer – 96%

In 2020-2021, lung cancer cost the health system $1.2 billionⁱⁱⁱ

 The key to improving survival and quality of life of Australians affected by lung cancer is to diagnose lung cancer early.