National Lung Cancer Screening Program

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) is a new Australian Government health initiative designed to save lives by detecting lung cancer early in high-risk individuals through low-dose computed tomography (low-dose CT) scans. The program officially begins on 1st July 2025 and targets individuals without symptoms but with a high risk due to smoking history.

What Is the Purpose of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program?

Lung cancer is very common and unfortunately, is picked up at a late stage when the outcomes can be poor compared to other types of cancer. When lung cancer is found earlier using low-dose CT, there is strong evidence that the treatment options are more effective.

The first of July 2025 sees the introduction of the NLCSP, which aims to achieve better health outcomes for Australians by detecting lung cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

Screening services will begin for eligible people in July. Crystal Radiology, as Australia’s largest provider of imaging services, is offering low-dose CT screening across most of our clinics nationwide.

Common symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Persistent or changing cough
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing chest or shoulder pain

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, regardless of your screening eligibility.

Why Is Lung Cancer Screening Important?

Early detection significantly increases survival rates and reduces the need for intensive treatment. Current research shows:

• Early-stage (Stage 1) detection could increase from 16% to 60% with screening
• Late-stage (Stage 4) cases could decrease from 53% to 11%

This initiative aims to detect cancer when it is most treatable, thus saving hundreds of lives annually.

Who is eligible for the screening program?

Patients who meet the following criteria require a dedicated referral to Crystal Radiology for a low-dose CT scan. To be eligible for the screening program, patients need to:

• be aged between 50 and 70 years
• show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
• have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking
• be still smoking or have quit in the past 10 years.

Screening services will begin for eligible people in July. Crystal Radiology, as Australia’s largest provider of imaging services, is offering low-dose CT screening across our CT-enabled clinics nationwide.

What Are the Benefits of Early Diagnosis?

• Surgical treatment is often an option in the early stages
• Improved quality of life due to earlier intervention
• More effective treatment plans before cancer spreads

Late-stage detection often requires palliative care or complex treatments with limited success rates.

How Does the Screening Pathway Work?

Patients are categorised based on their scan results:

• Very low risk: Repeat low-dose CT in 2 years
• Low risk: Follow-up in 12 months
• Low to moderate risk: Follow-up in 6 months
• Moderate risk: Follow-up in 3 months
• High/Very high risk: Immediate referral to a respiratory physician and MDT

Non-cancer abnormalities found may require further tests or monitoring under standard care.

What Are the Steps in the Screening Process?

1. Eligibility Check: GP or health worker confirms age and smoking history.
2. Referral: Eligible individuals receive a referral for a low-dose CT scan.
3. The Scan: Performed in about 10-15 minutes without needles or invasive methods.
4. Results: Sent to your GP and the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).

The NCSR will contact you regarding your next steps based on the results.

What Does It Cost and Is It Bulk Billed?

• Consultation: Some providers may charge fees. Use gov.au to find bulk billing GPs.
• Low-dose CT Scan: Completely bulk billed through Medicare.
  • 1 MBS item for biennial screening
  • 1 MBS item for follow-up scans

No out-of-pocket costs are associated with the scans under this program.

How Do You Receive Results and Follow-Up Care?

After your scan:

• Radiologists review the images
• Results are uploaded to the NCSR and sent to your GP
• You receive updates via SMS, email, or post (your choice)
• NCSR reminds you of future scans or referrals based on results

Results will not be available directly on the NCSR portal, but reminders and next steps will be shared with you.

Why choose Crystal Radiology for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

• Consistent reporting by an expert team of dedicated chest imaging specialists providing you with the clinical information you require to further support your patients
• A single point of contact for reporting and follow-up to facilitate ongoing care for your patients
• A 3-day turnaround for reporting, allowing you to promptly manage your patients
• The lowest possible dosage, enabled by dose software, ensures patient safety without compromising image quality
• The consolidated benefits of our established connections with public and private healthcare networks
• Access for patients across Australia through the largest network available, supporting timely patient care when requested by referring practitioners.

Why patients prefer Crystal Radiology

• Conveniently located low-dose screening clinics reduce travel time and unnecessary delays linked with distance
• Remote area access is available through mobile services to reach isolated communities
• Access to our streamlined online booking system, available 24/7 via mobile or desktop, so that patients can find the best time and location for their low-dose screening as quickly as possible
• We recognise and understand the vulnerability and stigma associated with patients living with any long-term addiction, and treat your patients with respect and empathy
• A fully bulk-billed service for the NLCSP, which patients can book online and access through the largest network of radiology clinics nationwide.

Your Next Step

Please ensure that you have your Medicare card and referral with you and pop into our location for your consultation. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us at +61 (02) 8315 8292, as we are here to help.

The NCSR Participant Portal

Through myGov:

• Update personal information
• Manage participation
• Access screening records (lung, bowel, cervical)
• Change communication preferences (SMS, email, or post)

Support for Quitting Smoking

While quitting smoking is not required for eligibility, it is the most effective way to reduce lung cancer risk.

Support services include:

• Quitline (13 7848)
• Local GPs and health services
• Mobile apps and online resources