Breathe Easier: A Guide to Australia's New Lung Cancer Screening Program

Basics

Detecting health issues early can make all the difference, especially with a serious disease like lung cancer. That’s the powerful idea behind the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), set to launch on July 1, 2025.

This program is a game-changer for lung health in Australia. By finding lung cancer earlier, it can turn a diagnosis from terminal to treatable, giving patients more effective treatment options and, most importantly, a better quality of life. The program is expected to save thousands of Australian lives.

Why Early Detection is So Important?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, often because it's found in its late stages when it has already spread. The NLCSP aims to change this story. By using a quick, low-dose CT scan, the program can find cancers long before any symptoms appear. Consider these powerful statistics:

• Without screening, only 16% of lung cancers are found at an early, more treatable stage.

• With a screening program, this number is expected to jump to 60%.

• Conversely, the number of advanced-stage cancers is predicted to fall from 53% to just 11%.

Catching cancer early helps save lives and can lead to less intensive treatments.

Could You Be Eligible for a Free Scan?

The program is specifically designed for Australians who are at a higher risk. You are eligible for a free screening scan if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You are aged between 50 and 70 years.

• You have no current signs or symptoms of lung cancer (e.g., a new cough or shortness of breath).

• You have a history of at least 30 "pack-years" of smoking.

• You are still smoking or have quit within the last 10 years.

If you're unsure about your "pack-years," don't worry. It's a calculation based on how many cigarettes you smoked and for how long. Your GP can easily help you work this out during a consultation.

IMPORTANT: Screening is for People Without Symptoms.

If you are currently experiencing any potential symptoms of lung cancer, you should see your doctor immediately for diagnosis and care, not for screening. Key symptoms include:

• A new cough that won't go away or a change in a long-term cough

• Coughing up blood

• Shortness of breath for no reason

• Chest or shoulder pain that doesn’t go away

• Unexplained weight loss or tiredness

• An ache or pain when you breathe or cough

How to Get Screened: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide

The process is designed to be straightforward.

1. Talk to Your GP: Your first step is to book an appointment with your GP. They will discuss your history, confirm you are eligible, and give you an imaging request form for the scan.

2. Book Your Scan: You can book your low-dose CT scan at a radiology clinic. I-MED Radiology, for example, has a streamlined online booking system available 24/7.

3. The Scan Itself: The scan is quick and easy. The entire appointment takes about 15 minutes, but the scan itself is over in less than 30 seconds. There's no special preparation needed.

4. Costs: The low-dose CT scan is free and bulk-billed through Medicare. Please note that your GP may charge their usual fee for the consultation to get the referral.

5. Getting Your Results: After the scan, a radiologist reviews the images and sends a report to your GP. The results are also securely added to the National Cancer Screening Register, which helps manage your screening journey and sends reminders for follow-ups. You will discuss the results and next steps with your GP.

References:

• I-MED Radiology Network. (n.d.). Lung Cancer Screening for the NLCSP.

• Lung Foundation Australia. (2025, July 20). LUNG Cancer Screening.