‘It’s better to know’: How a free lung scan gave Liz peace of mind

Liz, 64 from Sydney, welcomed the chance to have a free scan through the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP).

As a former smoker, Liz had lingering concerns about her lung health and wanted reassurance.

“As soon as I heard about it, I went to my doctor and said, ‘I want to get the scan!’”

Liz’s doctor confirmed she was eligible and provided her with a referral for the low-dose CT scan.  

“It was very easy to get an appointment,” Liz said, after booking at a nearby radiology clinic.

Going into the scan, she felt optimistic. 

This reflects the message of the It’s Good to Know campaign, which encourages eligible Australians to take part in the NLCSP. Whether lung cancer is detected or not, knowing can bring peace of mind. If something is found early, it may be easier to treat – and more than 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated when found early. 

Liz had never had a CT scan before and was unsure what to expect, but the radiology staff reassured her it would be quick and painless.

“They just had me lie down with my arms above my head, and the scan was over in 2 minutes.”

“After the scan, I felt really relieved. I’d done it!”

Liz says she felt nervous about receiving her results.

“There’s always that little bit of anxiety,” she said. “I think that’s normal. I’m sure everyone feels that.”

But thankfully, Liz’s results were clear, with no lung cancer detected. She was advised to screen again in 2 years.

Liz now hopes her story will encourage others to get screened.

“With any cancer screening, you want to know so you can take action. You want to understand what’s happening inside your body.”

“The process was very straightforward. Don’t be concerned.”

“If you’re nervous about the results, you’re not alone. But it’s better to know than not know.”

If you’re aged 50 to 70 and currently smoke or have in the past, you may be eligible for a free lung scan.

Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about lung screening today.