Chris's story
'Saved my life': Chris's miracle lung scan.
When Chris approached his doctor to discuss his lung health, he had no idea it would lead to life-saving surgery in a matter of weeks.
A 62-year-old disability pensioner from Werrington, New South Wales, Chris visited his doctor in December 2025 to discuss the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which offers free lung scans to eligible Australians aged 50 to 70 with a smoking history.
Chris first heard about the Program in the news and later saw advertisements for the It’s Good to Know campaign on TV.
“I was surprised to see a screening program designed for people like me,” Chris said. “But early detection of lung cancer is so important.”
Chris had quit smoking in 2024, and because the Program is for those who currently smoke or have quit in the past decade, he was pleased to learn he was eligible to participate.
“I've been seeing the same doctor for over 15 years, and he knows I take any opportunity to find things early.”
Chris’s doctor provided him with a Program-specific request form for a free, low-dose CT-scan.
“I booked the scan at a radiology clinic I’ve been to before,” Chris said. “It all happened pretty quickly.”
“I’ve had similar tests before, so the scan was pretty routine. The best part is that it was free – that was a massive help.
“The results came in quickly. While the scan showed no signs of lung cancer, it detected a buildup of calcium in my heart.”
After being referred to a cardiologist for further tests, Chris was diagnosed with issues in three of his major heart arteries.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I had no symptoms, and I probably wouldn’t have found out without this test.”
But thanks to early detection, doctors were able to intervene and operate on Chris’s heart before the disease progressed.
Lung screening can detect disease either in the lungs (such as lung cancer or emphysema) or outside of the lungs (such as heart disease). If your findings are not related to lung cancer, the National Cancer Screening Register will encourage you to speak to your doctor to discuss next steps.
“There’s every possibility that this helped me avoid more serious health issues, or even a heart attack down the line.”
After his experience, Chris wants more Australians to take part in lung screening.
“This initiative more than likely saved my life.
“Go and get screened – it could save yours too.”
- Screening