People can take part if they:

• Are 50 to 70 years old
• Don’t have symptoms of lung cancer
• Meet the 30 pack-years history
• Still smoke or quit in the last 10 years

Pack years = how many packs per day (1 pack = 20 cigarettes) x how many years smoked.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has a simple tool to help work this out: Smoking History Eligibility Assessment (PDF)

Smoking cessation support is available at any time. Your client can still take part in screening even if they currently smoke – smoking is not a barrier to joining the program.

If someone is under 50 or over 70, or hasn’t smoked enough, they can’t join the program – but they should still:

• Watch for symptoms
• Get help to quit smoking
• Encourage them to keep checking in with you or their GP/health worker about their eligibility to get a scan

For your clients, lung cancer screening involves 5 main steps:

1. Checking eligibility with a GP or health worker – you may be able to help with this by asking about their age and smoking history.
2. Checking if they are suitable to have a low dose CT (computed tomography) scan – you may be able to help with this by asking if they can lie flat for 5 minutes, check their weight is under 200kg, and whether they have had any recent chest infections.
3. Getting a referral from a GP or nurse practitioner for a low-dose CT scan.
4. Getting the scan – it’s quick, painless and takes 10-15 minutes.
5. Results go to the GP – and the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
   Learn more about lung cancer screening results (PDF).

The NCSR will contact the client with next steps. They might need to:

• Come back in 2 years for a regular scan
• Get another scan sooner
• See a specialist

1. They will lie flat on their back on a table with their arms above their head. They will need to hold their breath for a few seconds and stay still.
2. During the scan, the radiographer will take images of their chest. They will not need to have any needles.
3. The scan itself will take about 10 seconds, and they should not feel any pain.
4. They can go home straight away and resume normal activities.

A radiologist will review the images, and a doctor/GP will receive the results of the scan. They will receive a notification (text message or letter) from the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) that lets them know what to do next. This may be to have a low-dose CT scan again in two years, or to discuss their results with their doctor. If something unusual is found, further testing may be recommended– but not all findings are cancer.

Some mob live far from health services. That’s why mobile screening vans will visit rural and remote communities.

Check with your local PHN/ACCHO or see the Commonwealth website to find out when mobile screening is coming to your area.

The GP or health worker will explain the results. You can help by:

• Talking through what the results mean. Learn more about results at Let's yarn about lung screening results (PDF).
• Helping with follow-up appointments
• Linking clients to support services

Ask clients if anyone in their family has had lung cancer. This helps you talk about their risk and why screening matters.

You’re trusted in your community. Your yarns can save lives. Here are some simple ways to support your mob: 

• Talk about lung cancer and screening in a safe and respectful way and help break down fear and shame.
• Explain why screening matters – it can find lung cancer early, when treatment works best.
• Use the NACCHO decision-making booklet to guide your yarns and help clients understand their choices.
• Check if you client is eligible – ask about their age and smoking history.
• Help arrange a scan. Offer to book the appointment or explain where to go.
• Let clients know they can still screen if they smoke. Smoking is not a barrier to screening.
• Offer support to quit smoking and encourage clients to talk to their GP or health worker. Support is available anytime. Call Quitline on 13 7848  where they can ask to speak to an Aboriginal counsellor.
• Follow up after the scan and check if they got their results. Help them understand what happens next.
• Keep resources handy, like posters and brochures that explain lung screening in a simple and clear way. See NACCHO's resources to promote screening.

Use National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s shared-decision making booklet. This can make it easier to yarn with clients and support their decision making.

For more information visit:

• National Lung Cancer Screening Program information for First Nations people www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp/first-nations 
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) - culturally safe tools and information on NACCHO’s website 
• Watch NACCHO’s webinar recordings for health professionals on:
  • Program entry and eligibility
  • Shared decision-making

Even if someone isn’t eligible for screening, they should see a doctor if they notice:

• Trouble breathing
• A new or changed cough
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Chest infections that keep coming back
• Losing weight without trying
• Feeling tired all the time
• A hoarse voice
• Trouble swallowing
• No appetite.

If they notice any of these, tell them to see their Aboriginal Medical Service or GP straight away. 

Getting told you have cancer is scary. You can support clients and families by:

• Explaining what’s happening
• Helping them find the right care
• Sharing or using trusted resources like:
  • All about cancer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Cancer Council NSW) - cancer information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • Our Mob and Cancer (Cancer Australia) - a website developed for mob, by mob to help find information about cancer, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, living with cancer and much more.
  • Cancer Australia has a guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families (PDF).
  • Canrefer (Cancer Institute NSW) - a site that helps find recommended cancer specialists, hospitals and cancer care teams in your area.
  • Cancer treatment side effects: A guide for Aboriginal Health Workers (Cancer Institute NSW) - a guide to help you support your clients going through cancer treatment by learning more about the different types of cancer treatments, their side effects and when to seek help.