On the road: Taking lung cancer screening conversations to rural communities

For many people living in rural and remote Australia, local community events are more than a place to connect; they are an opportunity to share trusted information, ask questions and have important conversations about health.  

As part of the It’s Good to Know campaign, the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section (RFDSSE) is helping bring lung cancer screening conversations to regional communities across Australia. Through local events and face-to-face conversations, RFDSSE is supporting more people to learn about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) and find out whether they may be eligible. 

Taking the campaign on the road, RFDSSE has been attending regional and rural events and gatherings meeting people where they live, work and connect. 

In March, RFDSSE delivered its first It’s Good to Know activation at the South East Field Days in Lucindale, South Australia. The event gave community members the chance to ask questions, access clear information and learn more about the benefits of finding lung cancer early. 

Dr Shannon Nott, Chief Medical Officer at RFDSSE, said community events provide a trusted environment for practical conversations about screening. 

“People want to know whether they’re eligible, what the scan involves and how they can access the program from where they live. By having these conversations face-to-face, we can explain the steps, connect people with clear information and help them feel more confident speaking with their healthcare provider about lung cancer screening.” 

RFDSSE has continued these conversations at regional events including AgFair in Broken Hill, AgFest Tasmania and the Mount Isa Rodeo. These activations have helped raise awareness of lung cancer screening, share campaign resources and support conversations with people who may otherwise have less access to screening information. The AgFair activation and Mount Isa Rodeo also helped bring further attention to the campaign through local media coverage. 

By taking the campaign beyond major cities, RFDSSE is helping make lung cancer screening information more accessible for people living in rural and remote Australia. 

Because no matter where you live, it’s good to know if you’re eligible for lung cancer screening.