A year since its launch, more than 73,000 people have taken part in the Australian Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP).
The result validates the central role of GPs in the success of the NLCSP, driving identification, enrolment, and ongoing management of patients.
The program commenced in July 2025, and represented a major shift in how lung cancer is detected and managed. It recognised that early identification, structured workflows, and strong referral pathways were key to translating screening into better patient outcomes.
In the first six months, more than 60,000 people enrolled in the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
What does this mean for general practice?
As the NLCSP matures, strategies for GPs building patient uptake are becoming well defined. They fall into four categories:
1. Proactively identify eligible patients
- Even simple prompts in routine consults can significantly lift participation.
- Review smoking histories regularly.
- Use non-judgemental conversations to improve disclosure.
- Calculate pack-years accurately.
2. Embed screening into preventive care workflows
- Include lung screening alongside other recalls, such as chronic disease reviews.
- Align with quality improvement activities.
- Make lung cancer screening conversations part of your routine preventive care checks, thus normalising screening and reducing missed opportunities.
- Integrate with the NCSR for seamless support.
3. Be prepared for what comes next
Screening will identify:
- pulmonary nodules requiring monitoring
- incidental findings needing follow-up
Patients may need specialist referrals. Having clear referral pathways and internal processes will support timely, coordinated care.
Of use here is the Royal Melbourne Hospital referral pathway for lung nodules and suspected cancer. You can also check this page on Health Pathways Melbourne, and the Victorian Department of Health statewide referral criteria for lung nodules.
4. Focus on communication and engagement
Lung cancer screening can carry stigma. You can work to reduce this by:
- using clear, non-judgemental language
- reinforcing that screening is preventive, not diagnostic
- linking to smoking cessation support where appropriate.
This builds trust and improves uptake, particularly for priority populations.
Support for your practice
To support implementation, NWMPHN and RMH delivered a four-part education series, covering:
- program fundamentals and set-up
- pulmonary nodule management
- incidental findings
- emerging challenges in primary care.
You can access webinar recordings from the NWMPHN-RMH education series here:
- NLCSP – What’s involved and how do I prepare? (25 February 2025)
- NLCSP – Essentials in pulmonary nodule management and risk factors (6 May 2025)
- NLCSP – Additional findings detected during lung cancer screening (12 August 2025)
- NLCSP – Current status and emerging challenges (28 April 2026)
Other practical resources include:
- Cancer screening | NWMPHN
- Education and helpline support | National Lung Foundation
- NLCSP healthcare provider toolkit | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Lung cancer screening resources | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Guides and resources | NCSR
- Exploring the Australian Government’s new National Lung Cancer Screening program | HealthPathways Melbourne case study
Need additional support?
If you have any further questions about lung cancer screening in your practice, our Primary Health Care Improvement Team is here to help you. You can Request a Visit, call us on (03) 9347 1188 or email primarycare@nwmphn.org.au for support.
