LUNG CANCER
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions (FAQs) about lung cancer screening, risk factors, treatment options and life after surgery.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
- a cough that does not go away — you may also cough or spit up blood
- feeling out of breath or wheezing
- chest or shoulder pain
- a chest infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
- fatigue
- unintentional weight loss
What if I have symptoms or I don’t meet the criteria, can I still be screened?
If you are concerned about new symptoms or your smoking your GP can still refer you for a low-dose CT scan.
Lung cancers screening looks for signs on cancer while you are feeling well and before you have any symptoms. Catching cancer early provides more options for treatment and can provide a better chance of a cure. It uses a low-dose (low radiation) computed tomography (CT) scan to take images of the chest to identify any lumps, called nodules.
What happens after my scan?
Make sure your contact details are up to date.
A report will be sent to your GP/healthcare provider and National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
Follow up care is guided by the risk category assigned to the scan outcome. You may be directed to immediate follow up care or you may be booked for a further scan in 3, 6, 12 or 24 months.
The NCSR will send reminders to patients to return for follow-up screening.
What are the eligibility criteria for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP)?
Patients are eligible for the program if they*:
- are aged between 50 and 70 years
- show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
- are either a current smoker or quit within the past 10 years and have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking.
Your GP will help you to assess your pack-year history. Patients do not have to quit smoking to participate in the program.
Does a smoker’s cough make me ineligible?
A chronic smoker’s cough does not necessarily exclude you from participation. The program is for asymptomatic (those without symptoms), but those with chronic stable cough, chronic shortness of breath on exertion are still eligible, provide these symptoms are stable and attributed to a known condition such as smoking. Discuss with your GP.
Does COPD mean a patient is ineligible?
No. COPD does not exclude a patient from participation. Those with chronic conditions are still eligible. Discuss with your GP.
Are patients who vape, smoke cigars or pipes eligible?
The NLCSP eligibility criteria does not include individuals who vape, smoke cigars, or smoke pipes.
A patient who currently vapes, or smokes cigars or pipes may be still eligible if they meet the eligibility criteria of smoking within the previous 10 years and have a minimum 30 pack year smoking history.
Will the Government contact patients about eligibility?
No. Unlike other screening programs the NLCSP is not based on invitations. Instead, healthcare providers and their patients need to identify themselves for the program. Your healthcare provider may prompt you to identify your eligibility but patients can present to their GP already aware of the program and seek to determine their eligibility and engage in the screening process.
How to get a free screening?
If you’re concerned about your risk of lung cancer, talk to your GP. Your GP can review your lung health and assess your eligibility for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. Getting checked can provide peace of mind and help you take a more active role in your health.¹
References
* https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp/how-it-works
1. The current state of robotic cardiac and thoracic surgery in Australia Almeida et al ANZ Journal of Surgery 91(11):p 2245-2246, November 2021.