The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has applauded a $3 million investment by the South Australian Government to support lung cancer screening and treatment in the state.
The SA investment builds on the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which commenced in July, and aims to deliver more lung cancer assessment and treatment programs across Adelaide so patients diagnosed in the program can quickly access follow-up assessments and care.
The national program provides free lung cancer screening for high-risk patients, in line with the RACGP's Red Book preventive health recommendations for the disease.
To be eligible, patients must:
- be aged 50–70 years
- be asymptomatic, with no signs or symptoms suggesting lung cancer
- currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years
- have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 'pack years', which is calculated by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked.
RACGP SA Chair Dr Siân Goodson urged smokers and former smokers to book an appointment with their GP.
"Everyone knows smoking harms you and can cause cancer," she said.
"This screening program means you can find out early and for free if your lungs have been affected by smoking. And more importantly, you can take action, so you live a longer and healthier life.
"We hope this $3 million investment by the Malinauskas Government will make that follow up testing and treatment for lung cancer more accessible to more people in South Australia and helps patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the screening program access care earlier.
"I'm urging everyone in SA who smokes or previously smoked to book a consultation with your usual GP.
"If you meet the criteria, we can organise your first low-dose CT scan screening, which can be repeated every two years. Spotting lung cancer early makes an enormous difference.
"If you're a younger smoker, we can talk about medications, counselling, and other treatments that are backed by evidence and the experience of former smokers. We can help you take back control from tobacco.
"Nicotine's addictive. That takes choice away from you. Your GP can give you non-judgemental opportunities to take that choice back.
"Speak to your GP. It's a conversation that can save your life."
