Frequently asked questions

If you’re eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, you can have a free scan every 2 years. After your first scan, you will receive reminders when you are due.

Depending on the results from your scan, you may need to come back more regularly. Your doctor or healthcare provider will let you know if you need more regular scans. 

The scan is free for everyone eligible with a Medicare card that is green or blue. However, your doctor's clinic or health service may charge a fee for their appointment; you can contact them before your appointment to check.  

Your doctor’s clinic or health service may also be able to bulk-bill or support you with the costs. Ask them about this if you need support.  

No, you don’t need to quit smoking to participate in lung screening. 

Lung screening aims to find cancer earlier, when it is easier to treat. It’s important to screen even if you feel healthy so that any lung cancer can be picked up early and successfully treated. 

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program offers free screening to people at highest risk of lung cancer.

Research has found that screening is most beneficial for people who:  

• are between 50 and 70 years old, and  
• show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, and  
• smoke tobacco cigarettes or have quit within the last 10 years, and
• have a history of long-term tobacco cigarette smoking.  

This is why the program is targeting this group.

If you are not eligible for the program but are concerned about your lung health, speak with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help to assess your lung health and provide recommendations on what to do next.  

If you aren’t eligible now, you may be in the future. Make sure to keep checking in with your doctor or healthcare provider, so they can let you know if you become eligible. 

If you need help getting onto the bed at your scan, your radiology clinic will be able to support you. Please let the radiology clinic know that you will need help getting on the bed when booking your appointment so that they can make sure this is available for you. 

Yes, lung screening is safe. It uses a low-dose Computed Tomography (CT) scan, which gives off much less radiation than a regular CT scan. In fact, it’s less than the amount of radiation you’re naturally exposed to in a year.

The machine is designed to use the lowest possible radiation while still creating a clear image of your lungs.

Lung screening is a safe and effective way to find lung cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

The lung screening program involves regular scans over time, not just a one-off test. If you have any questions or concerns about this, it’s important to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help you understand what’s involved and what’s right for you. 

No, lung screening is quick, painless, and non-invasive. It’s just a quick scan of your chest. 

No, vaping and other forms of smoking (e.g. shisha) aren't currently included in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program.

If you do vape or smoke shisha or other products and are worried about your lung health, speak with a doctor or healthcare provider. 

The scan checks your chest for small lumps called nodules. Most nodules are not cancer, but some could develop into cancer over time.

If the scan finds anything unusual, you may need to see your doctor and have another scan or other tests to check it further.

Your doctor will explain what the results mean and what you need to do next.

It’s important to follow up with your doctor so you can get the right care if needed. 

It's important to have a doctor that you trust and feel comfortable with, and this will be different for everyone. Asking friends and family for recommendations can help to find a doctor that might suit you. Otherwise, you can read about the staff at local clinics on their website and see if there’s someone that might fit what you’re looking for. 

Lung cancer screening is specifically for people who smoke or have a history of smoking. We know how hard it can be to quit smoking, and you do not need to stop smoking to be able to participate. This program is about giving you the chance to check your lung health and treat anything that is found early.  

If you are feeling worried, you can speak to a support service for support and guidance on speaking with a healthcare provider about lung screening. 

If you live rurally or remote, it can be more difficult to access health services, including a radiology clinic. Heart of Australia have been contracted by the Australian Government to provide mobile screening services in some rural and remote areas.

If getting to a doctor’s clinic or health service is also a concern, you may be able to have an appointment via telehealth with a clinic you have visited before. Please call your clinic to check if this is available and let them know you are wanting to discuss the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. 

It’s very normal to feel scared or anxious about any health test, especially if it's a new scan you're not familiar with. If you are feeling worried, there is support available. You can ask the doctor or nurse conducting the scan to talk you through the procedure. 

You have the right to feel safe, respected, and empowered in any healthcare setting. If you have a lived experience of trauma and the lung screening procedure may be a trauma trigger, it can help to advocate for what you need. This might include asking for clear communication about the procedure and chances to ask questions, having a support person with you, requesting more time to complete the scan, or asking for a private and quiet space before or after the scan to undress or dress and to regain your composure. 

If you don’t feel safe or respected during your care, you have the right to speak up. You can make a complaint directly to the health service or, if needed, contact a healthcare complaints organisation in your state or territory. Your feedback helps improve the quality and safety of care for everyone. 

If you want support to quit, trained Quitline counsellors are here to help – call 13 7848 for confidential information and support.