Australian Olympic gold-medalist and former track star Sally Pearson has added her voice to the It’s Good to Know campaign, sharing a personal message about lung cancer to urge Australians to get screened.   

Pearson is a strong advocate for health and cancer awareness. Recently, she opened up about her grandmother’s battle with cancer.   

“I lost my grandmother at a very young age to lung cancer,” Pearson said on Facebook. “[She] left behind five daughters and lots of grandchildren.” 

“I’m proud to announce I’m part of the It’s Good to Know campaign to raise awareness about lung cancer screening.” 

Reflecting on her grandmother’s experience, Pearson says that talking to your loved ones about their health can make all the difference. 

“I wish that we had access to [lung cancer] screening that could have given us more time with her, but we didn't. 

“If your loved one is aged 50 to 70 with a history of smoking, they could be eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program.” 

The program involves a free low-dose CT-scan to check for early signs of lung cancer. If detected early, more than 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated.   

Early detection saves lives. Lung screening can help to find cancer earlier before symptoms show, giving people more choices in treatment and more healthy years with loved ones.  

Pearson’s message to other Australians is simple: 

“If you think you are eligible, please see a doctor or healthcare provider today. 

“It could save your life.”