
Yesterday, Northern Health was proud to launch the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), a major initiative aimed at saving lives through the early detection of lung cancer — the nation’s leading cause of cancer-related death. Starting this month, eligible Australians will have access to free, low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer, even before symptoms appear. This is the first population-based cancer screening program introduced in Australia since 2006 and is expected to save hundreds of lives each year by detecting lung cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
The program targets individuals aged 50 to 70 years with a significant history of smoking and no current symptoms of lung cancer. The screening involves a quick, painless, Medicare-funded scan that takes just 5–10 minutes.
Northern Health officially launched the National Lung Cancer Screening Program by screening the first patient in the program at Northern Hospital Epping. The patient, a 52-year-old woman with a long history of smoking, sought peace of mind through early detection.
“Breast cancer runs in my family, as well as other types of cancers, so as bizarre as this may sound, I know that when I first went and got my mammogram, it gave me peace of mind. I expect this to do the same thing because, as a smoker, I know that I’m at a higher risk, and I’m primarily doing this for peace of mind,” said Jacquie Maher.
Mark Brooke, CEO of Lung Foundation Australia, said, “Today is a milestone for lung health in Australia. Jacquie is one of the first of many Australians who, from today, will have access to a regular screening program to proactively monitor their lung health and have the opportunity to be diagnosed earlier.”
“Lung Foundation Australia has worked for more than five years to reach this day, knowing the benefits that lay ahead with screening now available. We know there’s still a lot of work to be done, but for now, we are humbled by the response to today’s launch of the lung screening program and thank all of our supporters and partners for making this possible.”
Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV), the radiology service of Northern Health, is a key provider of low-dose CT scans under the NLCSP. NIV brings deep expertise in lung cancer screening and serves a diverse community, including many culturally and linguistically diverse populations. NIV’s Dr Miranda Siemienowicz, a thoracic radiologist and Clinical Lead for the NLCSP on behalf of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, has played a pivotal role in shaping the radiology framework for the program.
“It has been a privilege to launch the National Lung Cancer Screening Program for Northern Health alongside Jacquie, and to understand the impact this tremendous initiative will have on the lives of Australians. Today is the culmination of an incredible amount of work at the national level, now translated into a living and breathing service at Northern Imaging Victoria. We are proud to stand as ambassadors for the Program,” said Dr Siemienowicz.
Dr Siemienowicz’s report for Jacquie’s scan was the first report to be entered into the National Cancer Screening Register around the nation – an incredible and humbling milestone.
If you think you, or someone you know, may be eligible for lung cancer screening, speak with your doctor. They will assess your history and, if appropriate, provide a referral for a free scan at a participating radiology provider.
For more information, including eligibility criteria and how to get started, visit the official NLCSP website: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp.
Pictured in featured image: Jacquie Maher with Daniel Marriner, Radiographer and CT Supervisor, Northern Health.