In July 2025, the Australian government is launching the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) which aims to promote earlier detection of lung cancer.
It is estimated that through the program, identification of early-stage cancer will increase from 16% to 60% and advanced-stage cancer will decrease from 53% to 11%. Ultimately, it is predicted that the NLCSP will help prevent over 500 deaths each year from lung cancer.
GXU Radiology Specialists aims to support the rollout of the LCSP in Newcastle and the Hunter region through raising awareness and supporting GPs in developing their knowledge to help navigate patient care through the program.
Who Will Be Eligible For Lung Cancer Screening?
People will be eligible to participate in the screening if they:
- Are aged between 50-70 years
- Display no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, and;
- Have a history of at least 30 pack years of cigarette smoking or;
- Have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking and has quite in the past 10 years.
What is ‘Pack-Years’ and How do You Calculate it?
‘Pack-years’ is a way of measuring the number of cigarettes a person has smoked. 1 pack year is equal to smoking 20 cigarettes (1 pack) per day for 1 year, or 40 cigarettes (2 packs) per day for half a year.
What is Involved in the Screening Process?
- Get a referral from your GP or specialist for a low-dose CT scan of the chest (LDCT).
- For the LDCT, you will need to lie down on a bed while the CT machine takes images of the chest. This is a quick, non-invasive test performed at GXU that requires no preparation and can generally be done within a day or two of being referred.
- After the LDCT, the results are sent back to the GP and to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
What Happens After the Screening?
Once the scan has been complete, a radiologist will review the images, and your results will be entered in the NCSR and sent to your healthcare provider. The next steps will depend on what is found during screening.
If the result of the LDCT is normal, the NCSR will notify you, and you will receive a reminder in 2 years’ time for another screening.
If the LDCT is abnormal, you may require a follow-up scan in 3 or 12 months, or in some cases may be referred to a specialist for further investigation.
What Else Can I Do?
If you’re a current smoker, one of the best things you can do to improve your lung health is quitting smoking. There are immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking and chances of success improves with the support of a GP or healthcare professional. Click the link for further information.
Why Book a Lung Cancer Screening with GXU?
Founded in 2008, we have established ourselves as a trusted radiology provider.
GXU offer advanced low-dose CT scanning using the latest Siemens dual-energy technology to detect early signs of lung cancer with exceptional precision.
Our team are passionate about radiology, and are committed to providing high-quality imaging for precise and accurate reports.
We are an accredited practice, affiliated with HDAA and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, ensuring the highest standards of practice.
All reports are completed by specialists and made easily accessible, so your healthcare provider can receive timely, accurate insights.
We’re here when you need us most, offering same day appointments for urgent examinations.
