Lung cancer screening in Canada
Building equitable lung cancer screening programs
Funded partners have committed to embedding self-determined principles and approaches into lung cancer screening programs by building relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and groups experiencing inequities. These relationships act as a foundation for consultation, collaboration and co-design of lung cancer screening programs.
This work aligns with Priorities 6-8 of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control and complements the Partnership’s broader First Nations, Inuit and Métis initiatives, reinforcing the Partnership’s commitment to advancing peoples-specific, self-determined priorities.
Partner story
Lung cancer screening in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Health embeds equity into lung cancer screening by prioritizing relationship building and co-development with First Nations and other equity-deserving communities. The program initially convened a provincial engagement session that invited Tajikeimɨk Mi’kmaw Cancer Care and representatives from the Health Association of African Canadians and the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, along with key staff from the Nova Scotia Cancer Care program to allow all perspectives and voices to be included.
This session fostered education, dialogue and feedback to shape a consistent yet flexible approach to screening, with the goal of increasing awareness and uptake across diverse communities. To support broader readiness for implementation, Nova Scotia Health engages Community Liaison Consultants representing Nova Scotians of African descent and new immigrant communities, alongside a health promoter who supports outreach, the development of culturally relevant education and promotional materials, and participation in community health fairs.
Nova Scotia Health continues to partner with Tajikeimɨk Mi’kmaw Cancer Care to develop a social media and promotional plan tailored for Mi’kmaq communities to increase awareness and uptake of lung cancer screening. These efforts also include a multi-partner evaluation session designed to identify lessons learned, address barriers, and plan for sustainability, while the project team continues professional development to strengthen culturally responsive approaches moving forward.
Supported by Partnership funding, this work is helping build sustainable, culturally responsive approaches to screening while generating knowledge that can inform implementation across Canada.
Collaboration is strengthening lung cancer screening across Canada
The successful implementation and expansion of lung cancer screening across Canada is still being shaped by collaboration among partners at the national, provincial, territorial, regional and community levels. Through the Partnership’s leadership and coordination, governments, health organizations, primary care providers and communities come together to build awareness, drive implementation and embed lung cancer screening and smoking cessation supports within health systems. This collective effort has positioned lung cancer screening as a national health priority and laid the foundation for its long-term sustainability.