Neil's story
'Knowing early is the best possible thing you can do.'
When Neil McMahon heard about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, he immediately knew he wanted to have the scan to know about his lung health and gain peace of mind.
Now, Neil is lending his voice to the It’s Good to Know campaign to make sure all eligible Australians are aware of this free Program.
“I’ve been wanting lung screening for a while,” Neil said. “I’ve had lung cancer in my family, so I know about smoking illnesses, and I think this is a great idea.”
Like many of his generation, Neil started smoking as a teenager. Now 58, he’s taking action for peace of mind.
“I smoked non-stop, a pack a day, until I was 52. Then my dad got emphysema and that was a real wake-up call. I remember thinking, I don’t want that to be me.”
Six years on from quitting, Neil was relieved to learn that he was eligible for a free lung scan under the Australian Government’s new Program.
When detected early, over 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated.
"I just think it's fantastic,” he said. “Early detection is everything. I've had so many other health issues recently and it’s so important to know about it early so that you can do something with it.”
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is available to eligible Australians aged 50 to 70 who currently smoke or have quit in the last 10 years.
Since getting screened, Neil’s been spreading the word so that no one misses this opportunity.
“Everyone should know about this and everyone who’s eligible should get involved.”
“Lung cancer is not necessarily a death sentence anymore,” Neil said. “Knowing early is the best possible thing you can do.”
You don’t have to quit smoking to participate. The program isn’t about judgement; it’s about giving people the best chance at a healthier future.
"The truth is, [smoking] is something I did, and I can’t undo it. The only thing I can do now is find out if there's any harm that's been done and deal with it. Knowledge really is power.”
Neil’s message to others who are eligible is simple.
"Don’t miss this chance. Go and do it. Screening could save your life.”
Find out more about how lung screening works.
- Screening