Lung screening in Canada, 2023-24

Lung screening guidelines

Lung screening is different from population-based screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer in that it is recommended for people at the highest risk of developing lung cancer, based on individual risk-factors. In all Canadian jurisdictions, eligible participants are identified through risk prediction models: to be eligible for screening, participants must fall above a specified risk threshold, based on age and smoking history, as well as other factors such as health and/or race. Jurisdictions differ in the eligibility criteria and risk prediction model version used.

Provincial and territorial screening guidelines

P/T Age eligibility Routine screening interval Risk prediction model Criteria
YT – – – –
NT – – – –
NU – – – –
BC 55–74 Annual/biennial PLCOm2012 race model
  • Current or former smoker with at least 20 years of smoking history
  • Has a healthcare provider
  • Willing and able to undergo LDCT
  • Assessment of risk ≥1.5% over six years using PLCOm2012 risk prediction model
AB 50–74 Annual PLCOm2012 3-race model
  • Assessment of risk ≥1.5% over six years using PLCOm2012
SK* 50-74 As per Lung-RADS© protocol  PLCOm2012_Indigenous Model
  • Current or former smoker, with a smoking history of 20 years or more
  • Assessment of risk ≥2.0% over 6 years using the PLCOm2012_Indigenous risk prediction model.
MB – – – –
ON 55–74 As per Lung-RADS® protocol PLCOm2012noRace
  • Current or former smoker with a history of daily cigarette smoking for at least 20 years (does not need to be consecutive years)
  • Assessment of risk ≥2% using PLCOm2012noRace
QC^ 55–74 Annual  PLCOm2012 race model
  • Current smoker of 20+ years OR former smoker who quit less than 15 years ago
  • Assessment of risk >2% using PLCOm2012 grid, assessment of health status, and consent following an informed decision
NB
  • To be determined in consultation with Provincial Lung Cancer Screening Implementation Advisory Committee
NS 50–74 Twice annual, then biennial PLCOm2012
  • Daily smoker (current or former) for 20+ years (not necessarily consecutively)
  • Assessment of risk ≥2% using PLCOm2012
PE TBD TBD TBD
NL 55–74 Annual/biennial PLCOm2012 race model
  • Has smoked for at least 20 years
  • Willing and able to undergo LDCT
  • Assessment of risk ≥1.5% using PLCOm2012

*SK: Updated April 2024.
^QC: Screening criteria under review by INESSS, particularly for screening intervals for Lung-RADS 1.

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