Understanding more about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) is a new initiative from the Australian Government that

“aims to achieve better health outcomes for Australians by detecting lung cancer early and reducing deaths from lung cancer”.¹

It is set up to launch in July of 2025. The screening test is a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan, where an image is taken of your chest while you lie down flat. There are no injections or other procedures and the scan takes about 10 to 15 minutes.¹

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of deaths due to cancer in Australia.¹ By screening for lung cancer it’s possible to detect it at an early stage, and earlier diagnosis can lead to higher rates of survival and improved quality of life.¹

The NLCSP aims to help prevent over 500 deaths per year from lung cancer.¹ Learn more about lung cancer here.

You will be eligible for the program if:¹

• You are aged between 50 and 70 years old and show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer

AND

• Have a history of at least 30 pack-years* of cigarette smoking and are still smoking

OR

• Have a history of at least 30 pack-years* of cigarette smoking and quit in the last 10 years

Your doctor will assess if you can be screened based on specific criteria like being able to lie down flat, which is required for the LDCT scan.¹

There are four steps to the NLCSP. They are:¹

1. Checking your eligibility with your doctor or healthcare provider
2. Getting a referral to a radiology provider for the LDCT scan
3. Getting the scan
4. Getting the results - these will be sent to you and your healthcare provider so you may need to make an appointment with them to discuss the results and what the next steps may be

There are three potential outcomes following your scan:¹

• No findings - you will stay in the program and receive a reminder for another scan in 2 years.
• Low to moderate risk of lung cancer - you will stay in the program and receive a notification to screen again in 3 to 12 months - you may also be referred to a specialist.
• High risk of lung cancer - you will be referred to a specialist who is part of a multidisciplinary team

For more information on the NLCSP, visit https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp

Disclaimer

This website is provided for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own health care professional's advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.