Lung cancer screening progress in Canada
The future of lung cancer screening
Achieving the full benefits of lung cancer screening will require long-term system transformation focused on increasing participation, integrating smoking cessation and ensuring equitable access. Modelling shows that reaching more eligible people remains the greatest opportunity to improve outcomes and maximize impact. Embedding smoking cessation supports within screening programs can further enhance benefits by helping prevent future lung cancers and improving life expectancy.
However, important data gaps remain for some populations experiencing inequities. Addressing these gaps through improved data collection and monitoring will be critical to identifying and responding to inequities and ensuring screening programs effectively serve all Canadians.
Realizing the full value of lung cancer screening will require sustained investment, culturally safer and equity-focused program design, integrated care pathways, and ongoing use of modelling and performance data to support accountability and continuous improvement, in alignment with the 2026-2035 Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan.