Manage your participation in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) commenced 1 July 2025 and is an Australian Government initiative aimed at detecting lung cancer early in high-risk individuals who are aged between 50 and 70 years, smoke tobacco cigarettes or have a history of cigarette smoking (having quit within 10 years), with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer and have a history of smoking the equivalent of a pack a day – around 20 cigarettes or more – for at least 30 years.
The program uses low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to help identify lung cancer at an earlier stage when treatment is more effective, with the goal of saving lives and improved outcomes for patients.
How the lung cancer screening program works
Your healthcare provider can help determine your eligibility for the program based on your age and smoking history. They will also assess whether screening is currently suitable for you based on specific criteria. For example, being able to lie down flat to complete a low-dose CT scan.
Once you complete the scan, the radiologist will review the images and send your results to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) and your healthcare provider. You will also receive communication from the NCSR explaining your next steps. The results will not be available to participants via the NCSR. If your scan has no significant findings, the NCSR will let you know. You will receive a reminder from the NCSR in 2 years’ time to screen again.
The next steps after you complete your scan will depend on what is found during screening. This could include going back to your healthcare provider to discuss the results and booking another follow-up scan if needed. You may need another scan in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, or continue screening every 2 years. It may also mean getting a referral to a respiratory physician or other specialists for further investigation. The NCSR will let you know when you are next due for screening and you will be sent reminders as per your communication preferences.
How the NCSR supports your screening journey
The NCSR makes it easy to manage your participation and stay up to date with your lung cancer screening by:
- Sending reminders when your next scan is due or overdue
- Recording your results and sharing them securely with your healthcare provider
- Notifying you and your healthcare provider if you need further follow-up
Information and preferences you can manage
We obtain your primary address from Medicare. If you wish to change your primary address details as recorded with Medicare, you will need to contact Medicare directly on 132 011 or visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au.
You can provide an alternative address for correspondence related to the NCSR, which won’t change the address recorded in Medicare.
You can do this using the Participant Portal or by calling us on 1800 627 701.
You can choose to be notified by SMS or email when you have a new message in the Participant Portal, reducing the amount of mail received.
To do this, log in to the Participant Portal and select the Communication Preference tile.
You can manage your participation in the lung cancer screening program using the Participant Portal, submitting a webform, or calling us on 1800 627 701:
- Defer your next lung cancer screening date: You can request to change (defer) the date of your next screening for a defined period, perhaps because of travel or health reasons
- Opt out of the lung cancer screening program: It’s your choice to participate in the lung cancer screening program or have your details recorded in NCSR. Before opting out, we recommend reading important information about opting out
- Resume participation in the lung cancer screening program: If you previously opted out of the NCSR, you can choose to resume participation at any time
If you’re not sure when you last screened or when you are next due to book in a low-dose CT scan, you can find out by logging into the Participant Portal or calling us on 1800 627 701.
You can also view previous letters and notifications sent to you regarding the lung cancer screening program.
You may choose to cease correspondence indefinitely or for a defined period.
This means we will continue to collect your screening test results and other screening information, but you will not receive any contact or reminders from us.
Your healthcare provider will still be able to access your screening information and will receive follow-up contact if required.
You can request to cease correspondence by using the Participant Portal, submitting a webform, or by calling us on 1800 627 701.
You can nominate a healthcare provider and a personal representative to ensure continuity of care by using the Participant Portal, submitting a webform, or calling us on 1800 627 701:
- Nominated healthcare provider: Will receive relevant correspondence relating to your screening tests
- Personal representative: Is authorised to be contacted and make requests on your behalf in relation to screening
You can nominate a preferred/alternate name or a pseudonym to be recorded in the NCSR and used for all contact, including letters and notifications:
- Preferred or alternate name: For example, a name that you use regularly, such as a nickname or shortened version of your name
- Pseudonym: An alias or a fictitious name assumed for a particular purpose (for example, to protect your privacy)