Lung cancer screening in Canada, 2026
Initial lung screening referrals
Ten jurisdictions have strategies to refer people to lung cancer screening, including referral from a physician or other healthcare provider, or via self-referral.
Initial lung cancer screening referral strategies
| P/T | Physician referral | Other healthcare provider referral (e.g., nurse practitioner, community health nurse) | Self-referral | Other referral source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YT | ||||
| NT | ||||
| NU | ||||
| BC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | |
| AB | ✓ | ✓ (NP) | ✓ | |
| SK | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | |
| MB | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ with program implementation | – |
| ON | ✓ | ✓ (NP) | ✓* | |
| QC | ✓ During the demonstration project, physicians were responsible for ordering LDCT scans, and there was a designated physician at IUCPQ-UL.
A provincial medical protocol has been developed for the rollout. This protocol allows nurses to work independently, meaning they can order LDCT scans when indicated and provide follow-up as needed. They can also refer the patient to their family doctor to follow up on incidental findings, or to a pulmonary investigation clinic if they feel further investigation is warranted. |
✓ (Specialized Nurse Practitioner) | ✓ | |
| NB | – | – | ✓ | – |
| NS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ Opportunistic screening requests sent to Diagnostic Imaging are forwarded to the screening program |
| PE* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| NL | ✓ | ✓ (NP)* | ✓* |
Data are current as of February 2026.
*Footnotes:
BC: Self-referral requires PCP attachment
SK: Self referral requires PCP attachment
ON: If a person self-presents and is found to be eligible, they still need a referral from a doctor or NP to authorize the LDCT scan. Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP) sites are responsible for having process in place to support connecting unattached eligible people to a healthcare provider who is willing to assume responsibility for screening referral and management of any actionable incidental findings for eligible participants who do not have a provider to refer them.
PE: Planning for provider and self-referral. Considering phased approach depending on planning and readiness
NL: Program is planning to have an NP available for the program to requisition LDCT, etc.