What is lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer screening uses a special type of x-ray called a low-dose CT scan to look for early signs of lung cancer, even before you have symptoms.

What are the benefits of having lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer screening helps find lung cancer in the early stages, before symptoms appear.

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Australia. It's often found after it has spread to other parts of your body. Finding lung cancer early makes treatment easier, and most people can recover and get back to their normal lives.

Learn more about health checks for males and females.

Who should have lung cancer screening?

You are eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) if you are aged between 50 and 70 years and:

• show no symptoms of lung cancer
• currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years and
• have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years

Your doctor can help you work out your 'pack-years' based on how many cigarettes you smoked and for how many years. Learn more about pack-years.

If you are unsure if you are eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, speak to your doctor or call the Lung Foundation Australia’s Lung Cancer Screening Helpline on 1800 654 301.

What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

Symptoms of lung cancer can include:

• a cough that is new or has changed
• coughing up blood
• being short of breath for no reason
• feeling very tired
• losing weight for no reason
• pain when you breathe or cough
• pain in your chest or shoulder that does not go away

If you have any of these symptoms, don’t wait to join the program, see your doctor right away. If you have symptoms, your doctor can send you for a scan outside the program.

What should I do if I'm not eligible for screening?

You can still get lung cancer even if you are not eligible for the screening program. If you’re not yet 50 years of age, talk to your doctor about your risks and for help to quit smoking.

Ask your doctor about other ways to care for your lung health outside of this program.

You might become eligible for screening at a later date.

Is lung cancer screening safe?

A low-dose CT scan uses a small amount of radiation. Research has shown that this low level of radiation is safe and can help find problems early.

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about screening.

Where can I get lung cancer screening?

First, see your healthcare provider (such as a doctor, nurse or other medical practitioner) or health worker at an Aboriginal Health Service to find out if you are eligible for the screening program. They will ask you questions about your smoking history and age.

If you qualify for the program, only certain healthcare providers can give you a request to a radiology provider for a low-dose CT scan, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist.

If your doctor bulk bills for visits, then there is no cost to you for the initial consult. Ask about fees your doctor or healthcare provider charges for visits when you book your appointment.

Your doctor will ask if you agree to having your results added to the National Cancer Screening Register. If you agree, the National Cancer Screening Register will send your results to your doctor and remind you of future scans.

Ask your healthcare provider where lung cancer screening is offered in your area. When booking, tell the radiologist clinic that you are taking part in the lung cancer screening program. You should bring your request form and Medicare card with you to your scan appointment.

What if I live in a rural or remote community?

To make sure all eligible Australians can use the program, special services are planned to help people in rural and remote areas. These include:

• mobile screening trucks
• support to travel to screening sites

Learn about getting access to the National Lung Cancer Screening Program in rural and remote areas from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

What happens during lung cancer screening?

Your scan will usually take place in the CT scanning room at a radiology clinic.

For your scan:

• you will lie on your back on a table with your arms above your head
• you will need to hold your breath for a few seconds and stay very still
• the radiographer will use equipment to take images of your chest

It isn't painful and you will not need any needles. The scan will take about 10 seconds. Your appointment will usually take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Will I need to pay for lung cancer screening?

You will not have to pay any costs for scans. Medicare will pay for scans that are part of the screening program.

What happens with the results of lung cancer screening?

The radiologist will check the images, enter your results in the National Cancer Screening Register and send them to your doctor.

The National Cancer Screening Register will send you a text, email or letter telling you what to do next. What you do next will depend on what is found during your screening.

You might need to visit your doctor to talk about your results and you may need more tests.

If you are found to be very low risk, the National Cancer Screening Register will let you know and remind you to have another scan in 2 years.

Are there any side effects or complications of lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan, which only exposes you to a small amount of radiation that is safe. The low-dose CT scan has been carefully tested in many large studies.

Sometimes the scan can find other problems like heart disease. If you have other findings, talk to your doctor about what these results mean for you.

Sometimes cancers are found that grow very slowly. These might not cause problems in your lifetime. When this happens, it's called 'overdiagnosis'.

It's normal to feel worried when taking part in cancer screening. You may feel stressed or anxious:

• when you get the scan
• when you're waiting for your results
• if you need to have more scans or tests

Talk to your doctor about support services that are available.

Are there any alternatives?

Currently, there are no other options for lung cancer screening.

See your doctor right away if you have worrying symptoms, like:

• a cough that is new or has changed
• losing weight for no reason
• chest pain when you breathe or cough
• coughing up blood

If you smoke, the best way to lower your chance of getting lung cancer is to quit smoking.

Resources and support

• Visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website to find out more about the lung cancer screening program.
• Get your questions about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program answered by calling the Lung Foundation Australia’s Lung Cancer Screening Helpline on 1800 654 301.
• Read more on the healthdirect website about managing your health in your 50s, 60s, 70s and older.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples on lung cancer screening is available from the Australian Government and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
• Cancer Council NSW has a fact sheet on lung cancer for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Read more on cancer in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples on the Our Mob and Cancer website.

Information in languages other than English

• Cancer Australia has information in English and other languages on getting the best advice and care if you're affected by lung cancer.
• The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has information in other languages on the National Lung Cancer Screening Program.
• Cancer Institute NSW has information on what is screening and how to look after yourself if you’re diagnosed with cancer in languages other than English.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.