Lung Foundation Australia is celebrating the first year of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), with almost 100,000 Australians participating in screening since the program launched in July 2025.
More than 230 primary lung cancers have been found through the program, highlighting the importance of detecting lung cancer earlier, when treatment options are often more effective and outcomes can be significantly improved.
The milestone comes as Australians who have participated in the screening share how screening provided reassurance, empowered health decisions and, in some cases, helped save lives.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said the first year of the program had demonstrated the real-world impact of early detection.
“One year on from the launch of the Australian Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program, we’re already seeing the life-changing impact of detecting lung cancer earlier, when treatment can be more effective and outcomes significantly improved,” Mr Brooke said.
“Through Lung Foundation Australia’s Lung Cancer Screening Helpline, we’re helping Australians understand their eligibility, navigate the screening process and make informed decisions about their lung health.
“We are proud to work alongside governments, clinicians, researchers and consumers to ensure more Australians can benefit from life-saving screening and early diagnosis, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.”
For Melbourne resident Rob Testro, participating in the program provided reassurance and confidence to take a more proactive approach to his health.
“After a lifetime of smoking tobacco cigarettes, I thought I should have the scan,” he said. The scan was surprisingly simple and quick, and I did have mild anxiety as I thought there was a high probability of having lung cancer,” Mr Testro said.
“Knowledge is power. Please don’t allow fear or anxiety to get in the way of taking control of your health. Take a holistic approach and work with your GP or nurse practitioner to respond to your overall wellbeing.”
While Rob’s experience provided reassurance, for Donna, participation in the program led to a diagnosis of lung cancer and treatment she believes saved her life.
Following surgery earlier this year, Donna is now cancer-free and encouraging other eligible Australians to get screened.
“I’ve lost friends to lung cancer, so I knew I wanted to get checked,” she said.
“The screening found an aggressive lung cancer. Today I’m cancer-free and grateful that I had the scan as I can spend more time with my grandchildren.”
Dr Miranda Siemienowicz, National Lung Cancer Screening Program Clinical Radiologist Lead for The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), said the program was already making a significant difference.
“Radiologists around the country have now reported around 100,000 scans for eligible individuals, with hundreds of lives saved through early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in the last 12 months,” she said.
“That’s an incredible number, but the strength of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program lies with those individuals who make the decision to screen.
“It is only through those who choose to take charge of their future this way that we can continue to save lives.
“The low-dose scan used for lung cancer screening is free, painless, and takes less than five minutes to perform. Anyone can talk to their GP or nurse practitioner to find out if they’re eligible.”
For more information about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, including eligibility, guidance throughout each stage of the pathway, or support with lung cancer or lung disease diagnosis, visit http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/ or call the Lung Cancer Screening Helpline on 1800 654 301.
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