National Lung Cancer Screening Program at Northern Imaging Victoria

Northern Imaging Victoria (NIV) now offers low-dose CT lung scans for people in the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP). Outpatient appointments will be principally offered at our Broadmeadows and Kilmore sites. The scan is free (covered by Medicare) and only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Phone (03) 8405 9600 for appointments or e-mail referrals to niv.reception@nh.org.au.

Northern Imaging Victoria is uniquely positioned in expertise around lung cancer screening and supports a substantial priority screening population in our culturally and linguistically diverse communities. NIV thoracic radiologist Dr Miranda Siemienowicz is the Clinical Lead for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program on behalf of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and has led the radiology sector design input and NLCSP response. Northern Health, as a public health service provider, offers a wholistic model of both low-dose CT screening and integrated further care.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is the first population-level screening program in Australia since 2006. The Program is designed to identify individuals at greatest risk of lung cancer. Unlike the bowel, cervical and breast cancer screening programs, where invitations to screen can be generated from an individual’s demographics, the Screening Program relies on you, our referrers, to identify these individuals and to invite them to screen. People may be eligible for lung cancer screening if they are:

• aged between 50-70 years, and
• show no signs or symptoms suggesting they may have lung cancer (that is, they are asymptomatic), and
• currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years, and
• have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.
  
  

Large international randomised controlled trials have shown that a low-dose CT scan can detect up to 70% of lung cancers at early stages and reduce lung cancer mortality by 20%. In 2024, it is estimated that about 15,122 Australians were diagnosed with lung cancer and about 8,900 people died from the disease. The opportunity for smoking cessation support throughout a participant’s screening journey is another profound health benefit that is facilitated by the Program.

For Referrers – Where to learn more

• Participants require a lung cancer screening program CT request form for every scan. This lives in your practice software for you to complete. Find more details on the NCSR website. Word and PDF versions are available here.

• Free eLearning modules have been developed by Lung Foundation Australia to guide General Practitioners (and other referrers) through the process of identifying eligible individuals. The modules are accredited for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
  
  
• A comprehensive GP resource guide has been developed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, including guidance on how to get your practice ready for the NLCSP.
  
  
• Register and integrate your practice with the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR), which is required for enrolling the participant, viewing their screening status and updating their record.

What next?

Northern Imaging Victoria welcomes our referrers in supporting the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and welcomes screening participants to contact us for their scan. Phone (03) 8405 9600 for appointments or e-mail requests to niv.reception@nh.org.au.

Screening CT scans are reported by our team of Radiologists, who have undertaken specific further education around lung cancer screening and work within robust quality assurance practices and expert peer support. Our reports are provided to you through usual means and are automatically submitted to the National Cancer Screening Register.

Join Northern Imaging Victoria in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. Together, we can save many lives.