Lung cancer kills more women every year than breast cancer, and now women in the Illawarra are being asked to check if they are eligible for a new screening program.
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) offers free, Medicare-funded low-dose CT scans every two years to people at high risk of lung cancer, giving women the opportunity to detect the disease early, when it is most treatable.
Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, welcomed the new program and encouraged women to check their eligibility.
“Lung cancer kills more women in Australia than any other cancer. Yet many don’t realise they’re at risk, particularly women who quit smoking years ago. This program has the potential to save thousands of lives. We strongly encourage women in our community to speak to their GP and take advantage of this opportunity.”
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Australia. In 2022, it was the leading cause of cancer death, taking the lives of 3,903 women.
According to the Cancer Council, around 6,000 women are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. While overall rates remain higher in men, the gap is narrowing. Rates of lung cancer in men are declining, but concerningly, rates in women are rising. A woman’s risk of dying from lung cancer before the age of 85 is currently 2.6 per cent.
Who is eligible for the program?
People are eligible for screening if they are:
- Aged between 50 and 70 years old
- Currently smoke
- Have quit smoking within the past 10 years
- Have a smoking history of 30 pack-years (For example, smoking one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years would meet this threshold.)
- Show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
To find out if you’re eligible, the first step is to speak to your GP.
If you meet the criteria, they will refer you for a free low-dose CT scan.
If the scan shows anything unusual, your doctor will guide you through the next steps. If the scan is clear, you will receive a reminder for another scan in two years.
Anyone experiencing signs such as a persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss should seek medical attention straight away, regardless of eligibility for screening.
