First National Lung Cancer Screening Program launches

From 1 July, people with a high risk of developing lung cancer can be screened for the disease free of charge through Medicare.

The Commonwealth Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) offers low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to people aged 50-70 who smoke or have a history of smoking and who don’t have the symptoms or signs of lung cancer.

By the time patients present with symptoms, lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. If it is found early, treatment options are greater and are more likely to be effective.

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Australia.

It is estimated there were more than 15,000 new cases and nearly 9,000 deaths from lung cancer in Australia in 2024.

For rural and remote communities that don’t have ready access to radiology clinics, from November mobile lung cancer screening trucks will take mobile CT services directly to eligible patients nationally.

You can speak to your healthcare professional to see if you are eligible for a free scan.