Ontario Lung Screening Program

Lung Screening

Information for Patients and the Public

Screening for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and is the leading cause of cancer death in Ontario. The reason so many people die from lung cancer is that typically, the person does not have symptoms until the time lung cancer is diagnosed. By then, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or is too big. When the cancer has spread or is too big, treatment has less of a chance of working.

Cancer screening is testing done on people who may be at risk of getting cancer, but who generally feel fine.

We now have an effective and evidence-based way to check, or screen, people for lung cancer. That means we can find some lung cancers early, when treatment has a better chance of working.

Lung Cancer Screening Test

People who are at high risk of getting lung cancer and qualify to get screened will be offered a special type of computed tomography (CT) scan that uses a small amount of radiation. This test is called a “low-dose CT scan.”

For people who are at high risk of getting lung cancer, getting screened with a low-dose CT scan is the best way to find lung cancer early when treatment has a better chance of working.

However, screening tests are not perfect and can have risks. It is important to understand these risks before you decide to get screened. If you contact an Ontario Lung Screening Program site hospital and if you qualify to get screened, a hospital staff member, called a screening navigator, will tell you about the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening over the phone. They will also go over this information again on the day of your screening appointment. This will help you decide whether you want to get screened.

Who Should Get Lung Cancer Screening

You may qualify for lung cancer screening if you:

are 55 to 74 years old, and
have smoked cigarettes every day for at least 20 years (it does not have to be 20 years in a row, which means there could be times when you did not smoke)

To find out if you may qualify for screening, contact your healthcare provider, or call the participating Ontario Lung Screening Program: 613-761-4535 or toll free at: 1-844-394-1124.

People who are not at high risk of getting lung cancer should not get screened because there may be more risks than benefits for them.

If you think you have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer, speak with your family doctor or other healthcare provider. Screening may not be right for you.

Resources for the Public

Smoking Cessation

If you smoke, becoming smoke-free can greatly lower your risk of getting disease, including cancer. Becoming smoke free also lowers your risk of dying early.

Becoming smoke-free can be hard, but it is possible, and you are more likely to be successful if you get help. You can contact the following services directly for support:

Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
Smokers’ Helpline (opens in a new tab)

Find more resources to help you quit smoking:

Information for Providers

Referral Inclusion Criteria

Current and former smokers ages 55 to 74 may be referred to the program if they have smoked cigarettes daily for at least 20 years (not necessarily 20 years in a row, which means there could be times when they did not smoke).

Not everyone who meets the referral inclusion criteria will be eligible for lung cancer screening in the program.

Determining Eligibility Is a 2-Step Process

Only people who meet the criteria in steps 1 and 2 will be eligible to get screened for lung cancer through the program.

Step 1: Healthcare providers refer patients who meet the referral inclusion criteria to an Ontario Lung Screening Program site hospital. People can also contact the Ontario Lung Screening Program site hospital on their own to have their age and smoking history criteria assessed.
Step 2: An Ontario Lung Screening Program site hospital screening navigator conducts a risk assessment with anyone who meets the age and smoking history criteria in step 1. The results of the risk assessment in step 2 determine whether someone is eligible to be screened for lung cancer through the program.

When healthcare providers refer their patients to an Ontario Lung Screening Program site hospital in step 1, they must complete the program’s referral form to authorize the use of low-dose computed tomography in case their patient is found to be eligible in step 2.

People who contact an Ontario Lung Screening Program site hospital directly and are found to be eligible in step 2 will still need a referral from a healthcare provider to participate in lung cancer screening through the program. If this is the case with your patient, the program will contact you for a signed referral.