Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Australia. Thanks to the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), early detection is now within reach for thousands of Australians at higher risk, including those living in rural and remote communities. 

Since the program launched in July 2025, one of its most significant achievements has been extending access beyond metropolitan areas. Through a combination of mobile screening trucks, regional radiology partnerships, and community outreach, rural and remote Australians can benefit from lifesaving screening opportunities. 

For rural health professionals, this is both an opportunity and a responsibility. You’re the bridge between awareness and action, helping eligible people understand, access, and benefit from screening in their own communities. 

Why Rural and Remote Access Matters 

People in rural and remote areas face higher rates of smoking and lung cancer yet often have lower access to early detection and treatment services. Distance, cost, and time away from country, work and family can all be barriers. 

The NLCSP was designed with equity in mind. It recognises that early detection shouldn’t depend on postcode, and that healthcare providers outside cities need tailored support to deliver screening effectively. 

Mobile screening trucks, delivered by Heart of Australia, travel to some rural and remote regions, equipped with low-dose CT scanners. These units bring advanced imaging technology directly to rural and remote communities, reducing travel time and making participation more convenient for participants. 

The Role of Rural Health Professionals 

In smaller communities, health professionals often wear multiple hats and may include health professional, educator, advocate, and trusted neighbour. Your role in lung cancer screening reflects that same versatility. 

You can help by: 

  • Identifying eligible people during routine visits or outreach 
  • Educating patients on what screening involves 
  • Supporting referrals for low-dose CT scans and follow-up of results 
  • Helping coordinate mobile screening appointments 
  • Providing reassurance and continuity of care 
  • Linking patients with smoking cessation and psychosocial support 

By guiding patients through each step, you ensure the program reaches those who might otherwise miss out. 

How the Mobile Screening Trucks Work 

Mobile screening units are fully equipped with low-dose CT scanners, the same standard of imaging used in metropolitan hospitals. 

Each truck is staffed by qualified radiology teams and follows strict clinical and safety protocols. The process is simple: 

  1. The GP, Nurse Practitioner or medical specialist refers an eligible participant for a low-dose CT scan request. 
  2. The patient is booked for the mobile screening visit (through Heart of Australia or local coordination). 
  3. The scan takes around 5–10 minutes and is completely painless. 
  4. Results are sent to the requesting practitioner, who manages follow-up if needed. 

Mobile screening may be particularly impactful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, regional towns, and remote populations that previously faced major travel barriers.

Find out where Heart of Australia are visiting community here.

Managing Eligibility and Referrals in a Rural Setting 

Eligibility remains the same nationwide: 

  • Aged 50–70 years 
  • No symptoms or signs of lung cancer 
  • Currently smoke tobacco cigarettes or quit within the last 10 years 
  • At least 30 pack-year history of tobacco cigarette smoking 

Many rural practices are now integrating reminders into their electronic medical records to flag patients approaching eligibility. 

If your local area is scheduled for a mobile screening visit, it’s worth proactively identifying eligible patients and encouraging early bookings. This ensures your community makes the most of the service while it’s nearby. 

Reducing Stigma and Building Trust 

For many people in rural and regional areas, lung cancer screening is a new concept. Some may be hesitant, believing that scans are only needed when symptoms appear. Others might feel embarrassed or fearful due to smoking stigma or past healthcare experiences. 

You can help build understanding and reassurance by: 

  • Framing screening as preventive health, in a non-judgemental way 
  • Using person-first, supportive language (“people who smoke” rather than “smokers”) 
  • Reinforcing that you don’t need to quit smoking to participate in the program
  • Explaining that screening early can save lives and reduce stress later 

These small shifts in language and tone can make screening feel like an empowering choice rather than an uncomfortable conversation. 

Leveraging Local Partnerships 

Rural healthcare thrives on collaboration. Consider working closely with: 

  • Local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Services 
  • Community health nurses and visiting specialists 
  • Primary Health Networks (PHNs) 
  • Radiology providers and regional hospitals 
  • Local councils and community groups 

Together, you can coordinate communication, identify eligible participants, and promote upcoming mobile screening visits through posters, newsletters or community radio. 

Supporting Patients After Screening 

Follow-up is just as important as the scan itself. 
Once results are in, rural health professionals are responsible for: 

  • Communicating outcomes in a clear, culturally appropriate way 
  • Coordinating further imaging or specialist referrals if required 
  • Ensuring patients understand the results and next steps 
  • Managing recalls for future scans every two years 

For participants with high-risk nodules, early connection with a respiratory physician or lung cancer multidisciplinary team (often in a tertiary centre) is essential. 

Your support in facilitating those referrals, and providing reassurance, helps prevent delays in diagnosis and care. 

Smoking Cessation in a Supportive Context 

Quitting smoking is not required for screening, but the screening conversation creates a valuable opportunity for supportive, stigma-free discussions. 

Rural and remote practitioners can connect patients with: 

Even brief, empathetic conversations can make a meaningful difference, especially when combined with community-led messaging. 

Training for Rural Health Professionals 

To support consistent, high-quality care across diverse settings, the National Lung Cancer Screening Program Health Workforce Education offers a free, CPD-accredited training package. 

It includes seven self-paced modules designed to help health professionals in any setting: 

  • Understand eligibility and referral processes 
  • Navigate the National Cancer Screening Register  
  • Communicate effectively and reduce stigma 
  • Manage screening results and follow-up 
  • Support patients in rural and remote contexts 

The training can be completed in around 3.5 hours and provides 3.5 CPD points. 

What’s in It for Rural Health Professionals? 

  • Easier access to early detection for your patients 
  • Improved referral pathways and care coordination 
  • Strengthened preventive health capacity in your community 
  • Recognition through CPD accreditation 
  • Practical tools for culturally safe, patient-centred care 

Your role ensures that geography doesn’t determine who gets a chance at early detection, or survival 

If you’re a health professional working in rural or remote Australia, the National Lung Cancer Screening Program is here to support you and your community. 

Register for the FREE National Lung Cancer Screening Program Health Workforce Education.

Learn more