Lung cancer screening progress in Canada
Partnering to build equitable, integrated lung cancer screening programs that reach more people
About this resource
This resource (published November 2026) highlights the background, progress, impact and future direction of lung cancer screening in Canada. It is intended for those involved in decision-making, policy development, implementation, delivery and ongoing operations of lung cancer screening programs, as well as others with an interest in lung cancer screening.
Provinces and territories have made significant progress in lung cancer screening by establishing programs and advancing implementation efforts across Canada. This progress has helped build momentum for coordinated action to further reduce the impact of lung cancer.
The Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan, which was led by the Canadian Cancer Society aims to reduce lung cancer mortality in Canada by 30 per cent by 2035.(1) This lung cancer screening progress report complements the action plan by sharing implementation insights, highlighting achievements and identifying opportunities to accelerate progress.
To build on this momentum, governments, health-system leaders and partners must address data gaps, increase recruitment, integrate smoking cessation supports and ensure equitable access to lung cancer screening.
Commitment to lung cancer control
What we want to achieve:
- A future where fewer people in Canada are diagnosed with lung cancerthrough prevention and more people have lung cancer found early by screening programs.
- Improved quality of life, outcomes and timely access to treatmentfor people diagnosed with lung cancer.
- Expanded and sustainable access to lung cancer screening programsacross Canada so more people at high risk can benefit from screening, smoking cessation support and earlier diagnosis.
- Equitable, culturally safer and person-centred lung cancer screening programsthat are co-developed with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and groups experiencing inequities.
- Strengthened coordination across providersto improve the patient experience and continuity of care.
The Partnership’s role and impact in lung cancer control
Key takeaway
Investment by the Partnership accelerated lung cancer screening across Canada, helping establish and expand screening to seven provinces while driving implementation efforts in three additional provinces and one territory. (2)
As steward of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (the Strategy), the Partnership supports provinces and territories to plan, implement and scale lung cancer screening programs that integrate smoking cessation supports and deliver person-centred care.
Since 2020, the Partnership has accelerated organized lung cancer screening across Canada by:
- Investing $11.5 million, enabling provinces to take a flexible, tailored approach to program planning and implementation.
- Supporting all provinces to pilot, partially implement or launch organized lung screening programs.
- Convening pan-Canadian partners to share resources, data and implementation lessons.
- Providing practical tools including access to modelling to support decision making and government support.
- Establishing pan-Canadian quality indicators to monitor participation, equity, capacity, performance and outcomes.
- Advancing equity- and First Nations-, Inuit- and Métis-informed approaches to lung cancer screening and smoking cessation.
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer allowed us to do innovative work that centered community knowledge and needs in our planning and development of lung screening operations.
The LungCheck Program is grateful for the support and seed funding. This funding enabled meaningful engagement with First Nations and Métis communities and fostered a true partnership that extended beyond consultation. Community members played an active role in shaping key program design elements, resulting in a program that prioritizes equity, access, and community-informed care.”- Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Lung cancer screening resources
- Canadian Cancer Society. 2026-2035 Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan: Transforming the Future of Lung Cancer in Canada [Internet]. Toronto (ON): Canadian Cancer Society; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 7]. Available from: https://cdn.cancer.ca/-/media/files/about-us/lung-cancer-action-plan/ccs_2026-2035-pan-canadian-lung-cancer-action-plan_en.pdf
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Lung cancer screening in Canada 2026: Programs [Internet]. Toronto (ON): Canadian Partnership Against Cancer; 2026 June 30 [cited 2026 Jul 31]. Available from: https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/topics/lung-cancer-screening-canada/programs/