Mobile lung cancer screening trial marks first ‘real step’ toward the national programme, health charity says
The Government's announcement of a trial lung cancer screening programme launching mid-2027 in Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupō is the first step toward the national programme we've long pushed for.
The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ welcomes the Government's announcement of a trial lung cancer screening programme, revealed by Minister of Health Simeon Brown on tonight's episode of Paddy Gower Has Issues.
Brown said that a trial would begin mid-2027 across Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupō, running for four years. The trial will use a mobile CT scanner that travels out into these communities – a model similar to the mobile units already used for breast screening.
It is estimated that around 8000 screenings will be made over the four-year trial period, which will save about 50-60 lives each year.
Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says the trial marks the first real step toward the national programme the Foundation has been pushing for.
"This is exciting news – it's the first step towards a national lung cancer screening programme, something we've been strongly advocating for.
"Too many New Zealanders are dying from lung cancer each year, and it's about time we started the process of implementing a nationwide programme to catch lung cancer early,” she says.
"A massive thank you to Paddy Gower for helping us highlight this incredibly important issue, and for fighting for this screening programme alongside the Foundation."
The Foundation has previously called on the Government to commit to funding a targeted national screening programme through Budget 2027, with priority access for New Zealanders aged 50–74 who have ever smoked.
Health New Zealand's proposed programme suggests a nationwide lung cancer screening programme could save 25 lives per week.
Lung cancer is New Zealand's deadliest cancer, claiming around 1,800 lives a year – more than breast, prostate and melanoma cancer combined.
Despite this, New Zealand has never had a national lung cancer screening programme.
Australia and England both screen for the lung cancer. New Zealand currently screens for breast, cervical and bowel cancer.
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