New screening program offers hope for those most at risk of lung cancer

A new screening program has become available from July 1 that hopes to detect cases much earlier for those at the highest risk - which includes Indigenous Australians and some migrant communities.

Doctor getting a patient ready for a medical scan at the hospital - healthcare and medicine concepts Credit: Hispanolistic/Getty Images

Key Points

• Lung cancer is Australia’s fifth most diagnosed cancer, but causes the greatest number of deaths because it is often diagnosed too late.
• Mark Butler says it suggests up to 70 percent of lung cancers are detected at early stages by low-dose CT scans, and deaths are subsequently reduced by 20 percent.
• Scans to detect lung issues normally cost hundreds of dollars - but the Health Minister says that from July 1, they will cost nothing for patients deemed to be at high risk of lung cancer.

Pakinggan ang podcast

Libreng lung cancer screening, inilunsad ng pamahalaan

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