Lung Cancer Awareness Month (2025)
November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Australia, spotlighting the nation's most deadly cancer and the transformative steps being taken to detect it earlier—especially through the newly launched National Lung Cancer Screening Program.
🎗️ Raising Awareness: Lung Cancer in Australia
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, despite being only the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer. This disparity stems largely from late-stage detection, when treatment options are limited and survival rates are low. Lung Cancer Awareness Month, observed every November, aims to change that by promoting education, early detection, and support for those affected.
🧬 Types of Lung Cancer
Understanding the disease begins with recognizing its two main types:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): The most common form, accounting for about 85% of cases. It includes subtypes like adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): More aggressive and fast-growing, often linked to smoking, and typically diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
Each type requires different treatment approaches, making accurate diagnosis critical.
🩺 A Game-Changer: The National Lung Cancer Screening Program
Launched in July 2025, this is Australia’s first new national cancer screening initiative in 20 years. It targets high-risk individuals—primarily those aged 50–70 with a significant smoking history—and uses low-dose CT scans to detect lung cancer before symptoms appear.
Key goals of the program:
Detect lung cancer early, when treatment is more effective
Improve survival rates, potentially saving over 12,000 lives in the next decade
Reduce the burden on the healthcare system by catching disease before it progresses
Eligibility is based on age and lifetime smoking history, not just current smoking status.
🖥️ Radiologists: The Frontline of Early Detection
Radiologists play a pivotal role in the success of the screening program. Here’s how:
Performing and interpreting low-dose CT scans with precision to identify early-stage tumors
Differentiating benign from malignant nodules, reducing false positives and unnecessary procedures
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to guide follow-up care and treatment planning
Educating referrers and patients about the importance of screening and imaging pathways
Advanced imaging techniques and AI-assisted diagnostics are also enhancing radiologists’ ability to detect subtle abnormalities that might otherwise be missed.
🎓 Training & Development: Empowering Radiologists for the Future
As Australia rolls out its National Lung Cancer Screening Program, the demand for highly skilled radiologists has never been greater. Accurate interpretation of low-dose CT scans is essential for early detection, and that requires continuous professional development and access to cutting-edge training. To meet the growing demand for diagnostic precision, CHESTRAD 2026 Asia presents a timely and targeted opportunity for Chest Imaging professional development.
📅 Date: Saturday 28 February – Sunday 1 March 2026
📍 Location: Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Singapore
🎯 Focus Areas: Interstitial Lung Disease, Thoracic Oncology, Lung Infections, Lung Screening 🧠 CME Credits: 12 points
👨🏫 Course Lead: Dr. Jeffrey P. Kanne, Professor of Radiology and Chief of Thoracic Imaging, University of Wisconsin
💬 Final Thoughts
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is more than a campaign—it’s a call to action. With the launch of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and the critical involvement of radiologists, Australia is taking bold steps toward earlier detection and better outcomes. If you're eligible or know someone who might be, now is the time to explore screening options and talk to your healthcare provider.
Early detection saves lives—and radiology is leading the way.