Application Detail

Description of Medical Service

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.

Description of Medical Condition

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.

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.

Medical Service Type

Investigative medical technology

Previous Application Number

Not applicable

Associated Documentation

Application Form

A public report on the proposed program can be found here.

Consultation Survey

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
MSAC consultation input closed 11 February 2022.

For further information please refer to PASC, ESC, MSAC Key Dates
For further information on the consultation process please refer to MSAC Consultation Process

PICO Confirmation

Not applicable

Assessment Report

-

Public Summary Document

Public Summary Document - March-April 2022 (PDF 1112 KB)
Public Summary Document - March-April2022 (Word 571 KB)

Public Summary Document Attachments - March-April 2022 (PDF 537 KB)
Public Summary Document Attachments - March-April 2022 (Word 149 KB)

Public Summary Document - July 2022 (PDF 595 KB)
Public Summary Document - July 2022 (Word 370 KB)

Meetings for this Application

PASC

Bypassed PASC

ESC

10-11 February 2022

MSAC

31 March–1 April 2022
28-29 July 2022