More Ontarians can now access lung cancer screening

With five new sites added in March 2026, the Ontario Lung Screening Program is now available at 15 locations across the province. These include all designated Level 1 and Level 2 Thoracic Cancer Surgery Centres, making it easier for people at high risk of lung cancer to access screening closer to home.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Ontario. It is often diagnosed at a later stage, when treatment is less effective. Screening can help find lung cancer earlier, when treatment has a better chance of success.

“By increasing access to screening, we are helping ensure that more people at high-risk lung cancer can be diagnosed earlier and connected to care sooner, which can make a meaningful difference in their treatment journey” said Dr. Christian Finley, Clinical Lead, Ontario Lung Screening Program.

Since it began as a pilot in 2017, the Ontario Lung Screening Program has completed more than 70,000 screening tests, including 15,411 in 2025 to 2026 alone. With the addition of new sites, the program is expected to complete approximately 2,500 additional screenings each year. Using low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans, the pilot found more lung cancers at an earlier stage than typically seen in the general population.

Who can get screened

The OLSP is designed for people at high risk of lung cancer. Individuals can be referred by a clinician or contact a program site directly if they:

• are 55 to 80 years old
• have smoked tobacco daily for at least 20 years (it does not have to be 20 years in a row)
• have valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage

Eligible individuals complete a risk assessment with a program navigator to estimate their chance of developing lung cancer within the next six years. Those with a risk of two per cent or higher are eligible for screening.

Support throughout the Screening Journey

A key strength of the OLSP is its team of dedicated navigators, trained in culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and inclusive communication, who guide participants from referral through follow-up. Navigators support participants throughout the screening process by answering questions, sharing results, coordinating follow-up care and connecting them to smoking cessation supports.

Lisa Crans, a nurse navigator with OLSP at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, said “I let participants know I will be the one contacting them with their results and guiding them through the next steps. This way they know ahead of time, no matter the outcome, they will have guidance and continuity of care throughout the process.”

By building trust and providing ongoing support, navigators help participants stay engaged in screening and access follow-up care when needed.

“The impact of this program is both meaningful and rewarding, especially when early detection leads to successful treatment of lung cancer. Seeing these positive outcomes reinforces the value of the work we do everyday,” Crans says.

Bringing Screening Closer to Home

As the Ontario Lung Screening Program continues to expand its networks, more people across the province can benefit from earlier detection and faster connections to care – helping improve outcomes for those most at risk.