A year after Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program launched, more than 100,000 Australians at higher risk of lung cancer have accessed free screening.
For Rob, seeing the ‘It’s good to know’ ad prompted a conversation with his GP to check whether he was eligible.
“My doctor was very supportive and non-judgemental,” said Rob. “He told me I was eligible for a free lung scan and referred me straight away.”
A few days later, Rob attended his local radiology clinic for a low-dose CT scan.
“Honestly, I was expecting bad news,” said Rob, who had smoked for 55 years. “I was shocked that [the results] were clear.”
This became a turning point. Rob quit smoking and has since made a range of healthier lifestyle changes.
For others, screening has been potentially lifesaving, detecting more than 230 primary lung cancers as well as other conditions such as emphysema and heart problems.
These experiences show why awareness matters.
Cancer Council is delivering the ‘It’s Good to Know’ campaign, in partnership with the Australian Government and community organisations. The campaign is helping Australians understand whether they may be eligible and encouraging them to speak with their doctor or healthcare providers. Supporting more people to access screening earlier increases the chance of detecting lung cancer early, when treatment is more effective.
If you’re aged 50 to 70 and smoke or have in the past, you may be eligible for free lung cancer screening. To learn more about the lung screening, speak to your doctor or visit
www.lungcancerscreen.org.au