Supporting Early Detection: The NCSR and Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program
Lung cancer is Australia’s fifth most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death. In 2025, it is estimated that approximately 15,100 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and there will be almost 9,000 deaths.1
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) uses low-dose computed tomography (low-dose CT) scans to help find lung cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. Because if found early, over 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated.
In the program’s first six months more than 45,000 low-dose CT scans have been completed with an average of 290 enrolements per day.2
How the National Cancer Screening Register supports the NLCSP
The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) supports NLCSP participants and their healthcare providers by:
- reminding enrolled people to screen
- following up on scan results
- maintaining a national database of low-dose CT scan results.
Who can participate?
Australians aged 50 to 70 who currently smoke or have a history of smoking tobacco cigarettes, but who do not have symptoms of lung cancer, are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider to find out if they’re eligible to participate.
For more information or resources, visit the NLCSP campaign website or the NLCSP website.
2 National Cancer Screening Register data as at 18 December 2025