About the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program presents a significant opportunity to increase early diagnosis, enhance treatment options and improve survival for one of the deadliest cancers in NSW.

The screening program uses low-dose CT (computed tomography) scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without any symptoms.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible for the program if you:

• are aged between 50 and 70 years
• show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer (that is, you are asymptomatic)

    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 past 10 years.

Your healthcare provider will also assess whether you are suitable for screening based on specific criteria (which may be temporary) such as being able to lie down flat to complete a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan.

How lung cancer screening works

Lung cancer screening involves four main steps:

1. A healthcare provider, like a general practitioner or a health worker at an Aboriginal Health Service, checks if you are eligible by asking your age and smoking history.
2. If you agree to participate and wish to do a lung screen, the healthcare provider will give you a referral for a low-dose CT scan. Ask your healthcare provider where lung cancer screening is offered in your area.
3. For the scan, you will lie down on a table with your arms above your head while the equipment takes images of your chest. The scan doesn’t involve any needles or other procedures. Your appointment will usually take around 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Your healthcare provider will receive your scan results. The National Cancer Screening Register will send you a text message, email or letter about what to do next. This may be to have a low-dose CT scan again in two years or to discuss your results with your healthcare provider.