Overview, Eligibility & National Cancer Screening Register

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is a screening program for people who may be at higher risk of lung cancer. It uses a low-dose computed tomography scan (low-dose CT scan) to look for signs of lung cancer before any symptoms appear.  

The program aims to detect lung cancer early, when treatment is most effective and will save lives. 

Eligible people can access the scan for free through Medicare. A healthcare provider (GP, nurse practitioner or medical specialist) will provide eligible people with a form to book the scan.

Eligibility

The program delivers targeted screening to high-risk individuals on a two-yearly basis. People are eligible to participate if they: 

• Are between 50 and 70 years of age; and
• Are asymptomatic (show no signs or symptoms suggestive of lung cancer); and
• Currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years; and
• Have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.

If smoking history eligibility for the program has been confirmed, it does not need to be re-assessed.

National Cancer Screening Register

The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) provides a single electronic record for each person in Australia participating in the Australian Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program, National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and National Cervical Screening Program. 

The NCSR supports the program by providing a safety net to screening participants and healthcare providers to support usual care. The NCSR will support healthcare providers to manage the participant’s personal information and participation in the NCSR for lung cancer screening.   

The NCSR does not replace usual care responsibilities of healthcare providers or existing arrangements that healthcare providers may have in place to ensure individuals receive appropriate and optimal care. 

For more information, please visit Supporting patients in lung cancer screening. 

Optimising Use of the National Cancer Screening Register: Access, Integration, and the Role of General Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners

Join this CPD-accredited webinar, hosted by the Australian Government and Lung Foundation Australia, to learn how to effectively implement the Program in your practice and effectively use the National Cancer Screening Register.