Applications

1699 – National Lung Cancer Screening Program

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation Not applicable
  • Pre-MSAC consultation Closed
  • Outcome Supported

Application details

Reason for application

A 2021-22 Federal Budget Measure tasked the Department of Health and Cancer Australia to work together to establish the feasibility of implementing a national program to inform a fully costed proposal to Government for the detailed design, development and implementation of an NLCSP. It is proposed that the NLCSP will use existing LDCT infrastructure and expertise to support a national roll out of the program. MSAC has previously provided advice on the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

See a public report on the proposed program.

Service or technology in this application

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in Australia. The aim of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) is to support the earlier detection of lung cancer through the use of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) in high risk individuals (smokers and ex-smokers). A risk prediction tool will be applied to those entering the Program to assess their suitability for screening. If a person’s risk assessment meets a threshold level, they will be offered LDCT screening. Screening will be every two years while they participate in the program, or until a lesion requiring management is identified.

Type: Investigative medical technology

Medical condition this application addresses

Compared to most other cancers, the survival rate of people with lung cancer is poor and has improved little over time. Lung cancer diagnosis in Australians usually occurs once the cancer has spread beyond the lungs. Generally, the later the stage at diagnosis, the poorer the survival rate. The NLCSP is a secondary prevention strategy which aims to detect lung cancers earlier when treatment is likely to be more effective.

Consultation survey and deadlines

MSAC values consultation input from individuals and organisations with an interest in an application that it is considering, including experience of the medical conditions, services or technologies being addressed by the application. 

  • PASC consultation: Not applicable
  • MSAC consultation: Closed 11 February 2022

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: Bypassed PASC
  • ESC meeting: 10–11 February 2022
  • MSAC meeting: 
    • 31 March – 1 April 2022
    • 28–29 July 2022