Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program marked its first anniversary in July 2026. In its first year, close to 100,000 people at high risk of lung cancer accessed free screening, with an average of around 285 people joining each day.
Early detection is the point
More than 230 primary lung cancers were detected in that first year. Lung cancer remains Australia's leading cause of cancer death, with roughly 9,000 deaths each year. Screening can detect a large share of lung cancers before symptoms appear, and outcomes are substantially better when disease is found early.
How the scan works
The program uses a low-dose CT of the chest. It is quick, does not require an injection, and uses a fraction of the radiation dose of a standard chest CT. No preparation is needed and most people are in and out within minutes.
Who is eligible
Screening is aimed at people aged 50 to 70 with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, who currently smoke or have quit within the past 10 years, and who have a significant smoking history. Eligibility is assessed by your GP, who arranges enrolment and the referral.
Early data from the program indicated around 86% of results were negative, with a small proportion requiring urgent review or short-interval follow-up, a reminder that most participants are reassured rather than diagnosed.
Speak with your GP if you think you may be eligible.