| YT |
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| NT |
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| NU |
Government of Nunavut is planning for territorial implementation of the lung cancer screening program. Key activities include:
- Collaboration with the Ottawa Hospital team to support pilot project development, scan readings and biopsy analysis from Nunavut.
- Collaboration with the Smoking Cessation team to be incorporated into the future lung cancer screening program as part of the treatment.
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| BC |
- The Lung Screening Program was launched in April 2022 and all 36 screening sites across the province are currently operational
- Screening intake and eligibility assessment, smoking cessation counselling, and referral for screening low-dose CT (LDCT) scan are done by trained and centralized navigators in the program
- The screening program information system (CASCADE) generates CT referral to local screening sites where the local CT department contacts clients to book scans
- CASCADE receives and generates results letters
- Follow-up protocols are built into CASCADE, including return to screening referrals and fast-track diagnostic workup referrals
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| AB |
The Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program (ALCSP) is a pilot project funded by the Alberta Government Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Previous funding was provided through Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Canadian Partnership against Cancer. The program is expected to implement LDCT Scans for approximately 5,000 people aged 50–74, who currently smoke commercial tobacco or previously smoked cigarettes.
Primary Care Providers will refer patients to the ALCSP for low-dose CT scans (LDCT) based on lung cancer risk assessment (PLCOm2012 3-race model lung cancer risk ≥1.5% over six years). Individuals can also self-refer to the program by calling a toll-free phone number to speak with a training Registered Nurse, or they may self refer through the website. (Lung Cancer Self-Referral – Screening For Life | Screening For Life) The initial pilot is limited to a few geographic areas with high smoking rates and higher-risk populations, including Indigenous and immigrant populations. |
| SK |
LungCheck, Saskatchewan’s lung screening and prevention program operates in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to provide low-dose CT scans for individuals determined to be at high risk of lung cancer and offer support for those who want to quit smoking. In July 2025, the program launched in a select area of the province with plans to expand provincially over time.
Key highlights during the development phase include:
- Creation of project governance and shared decision-making structures to support co-creation of the program with health system and community partners
- Eight major components of development work established through key decisions. These components include:
- Community engagement and outreach
- Quality measurement/improvement and monitoring
- Diagnosis/treatment pathways
- Smoking cessation
- Program eligibility
- Program navigation
- Diagnostic/lung nodule management
- IT systems
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| MB |
Manitoba is planning for provincial implementation of lung cancer screening. Key activities since 2021 include:
- Establishing an Expert Advisory Group, Public Advisory Group, and several working groups to build consensus, provide clinical recommendations, and complete pre-implementation activities
- Confirming key aspects of the patient pathway, including:
- Acceptance of self-referrals for those without a PCP
- Entry-age criteria (55–74 years)
- Screen eligibility criteria (PLCOm2012 no race at a threshold of 1.5%), determined by LungCheck
- Process for central intake and referral to CT
- PanCan nodule management protocol
- Direct referral to diagnostic imaging or Lung Diagnostic Clinic
- Navigation for full pathway
- Confirming that smoking cessation support, including paid medications and aids, will be provided through the program
- Developing education and awareness resources for the public, PCPs, and specialists. Public resources and materials were developed through public and community engagement
- Developing new software solutions for client management and CT reporting
- Determining radiologist reading and training requirements, and accreditation requirements
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| ON |
- Following a successful pilot initiated in 2017 with four sites, the Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP) was launched in April 2021. As of March 31st, 2026, the program is operational province-wide with all 15 designated Level 1 and 2 Thoracic Surgery centres across the province acting as hub sites. Some hub sites have further expanded access to screening by partnering with facilities in their region to offer screening at spokes, and the OLSP continues to support spoke site expansion across the province.
- Trained navigators at hub sites assess the eligibility of individuals who are referred by a healthcare provider or who contact the program to self-refer. All people who interact with the program and currently smoke are given brief advice and access to a smoking cessation service.
- Hub sites book low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans for eligible participants.
- After their initial scan, participants are booked in for recall or follow-up scans within the OLSP or sent for lung diagnostic assessment based on their Lung-RADS results.
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| QC |
- 2021 – The Lung Cancer Screening Demonstration Project was rolled out to 10 facilities across Quebec. It targeted individuals aged 55 to 74 who had been smokers for more than 20 years or were former smokers who quit less than 15 years prior, who had a high risk of developing lung cancer. Three more facilities were added in 2024.
- 2021–2024 – Screening was available at 16 facilities across Quebec, coordinated by the IUCPQ UL coordination centre.
- Spring–Fall 2024 – An evaluation of the demonstration project was completed.
- The evaluation showed that the various indicators defined for the Lung Cancer Screening Demonstration Project were met, and Quebec’s Minister of Health expressed support for a phased province-wide rollout.
- The “former smoker who quit less than 15 years ago” eligibility criterion was removed. The criteria are now: being 55 to 74 years of age; being a current or former smoker with a 20-year history of smoking (whether consecutive or not); and having a high risk of developing lung cancer.
- Winter 2026 – Lung cancer screening will be managed by the various Regional Service Coordination Centres (CCSRs). The first CCSR has already been set up, and the others will be rolled out gradually. With this arrangement, each administrative region in the province will have a CCSR to run its own screening independently.
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| NB |
- Ongoing work underway to ensure coordinated implementation of this program. This includes developing new information technology infrastructure, clinical practice guidelines, smoking cessation processes, and communication and awareness tools for healthcare providers and members of the public.
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| NS |
Nova Scotia has conducted all the necessary activities required for pre-implementation of a targeted lung screening program. Key activities 2021-Present include:
- Government approved business case for sustained operational funding
- Hired four nurse navigators, two booking clerks, one admin, and one health promoter
- Established partnerships with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for distribution of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and with Tobacco Free Nova Scotia for smoking cessation behavioural counselling
- Conducted a robust engagement process facilitated by an external consultant
- Established key partnerships with Tajikeimɨk, the Health Association of African Canadians, and the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia to co-design and implement the Lung Screening Program
- Implemented strategies for unattached patients to ensure Nova Scotians without a primary care provider would still be able to participate fully in the program
- Developed an evaluations strategy, including identification of key performance indicators
- Established an environmental-risk-factors working group
- Developed quality assurance metrics and processes for radiology
- Developed a Zone/Site/Community Readiness Assessment Tool
- Confirmed Nova Scotia-specific guidelines for eligibility of LDCT screening
- Developed program pathways for end-to-end patient navigation
- Developed terminology for screening reporting templates and machine-readable versions of standardized radiology reports
- Launched the program in Nova Scotia’s two largest management zones – Central (2024) and Eastern (2025)
- Soft launch underway in the Western and Northern zones with public launch planned for 2026
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| PE |
PEI continues to work towards developing a lung screening program through the continued support of CPAC. They are working towards implementing a pilot program, showcased through the following key initiatives being completed since 2021:
- Submitted a business case
- Creation and approval of Provincial Cancer Strategy 2023–2028, which includes lung cancer screening
- Created an advisory committee to oversee the program’s completion
- Hired a Program Coordinator to oversee the development of the Lung Screening Program and a Nurse Navigator to assist with patient navigation
- Developed policy and guidelines around lung cancer screening in PEI
- Implemented a project plan, screening guidelines and all relevant pathways
- Developed an evaluation plan, ensuring continued growth through key performance indicators
- Established a Collaborative Health Record (CHR) IT system for easier program management and client care/records transfer across medical portfolios
- Developed a Communications and Engagement plan, which includes a number of key external stakeholders
- Confirmed the location of the pilot and the staff (physicians, respirologists and navigators) who will be working throughout it
- Undergoing necessary renovations needed for installation of a new CT scanner
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| NL |
- Pilot operated at two sites during 2024-2025
- Business plan submitted to GovNL and funding for implementation announced
- Provincial Implementation committee established
- Recruitment underway for medical director and an NP that will work with both lung and breast screening
- Funding allocated to medical imaging for LCDT staff recruitment
- Working on an “access to care” delivery model for smoking cessation
- IT system integration and update work ongoing
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