(From Lung Cancer | Cancer Care Ontario)
Lung cancer starts in the cells of the lung, which is an organ in the chest. The lungs take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide from the body.
There are 2 main types of lung cancer:
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health, including reducing your chances of getting cancer. Quitting can be hard, but it is possible, and you are more likely to quit if you get help. If you currently smoke, join our Smoking Cessation Program. You do not need a referral for the smoking cessation program.
To learn more about lung cancer, visit Lung Cancer | Canadian Cancer Society.
(From Screening for Lung Cancer | Cancer Care Ontario)
Cancer screening is testing done on people who are at risk of getting cancer, but who have no symptoms and generally feel fine.
Lung cancer screening can help find lung cancer early, when treatment has a better chance of working.
People who are at high risk of getting lung cancer and qualify to get screened will be offered a type of computed tomography (CT) scan that uses a small amount of radiation. This test is called a low-dose CT scan.
During the scan, the screening participant lies on an open table that passes through a large donut-shaped machine called a scanner. The scanner uses a small amount of radiation to take detailed pictures of the lungs. The test only takes a few minutes and is not painful. There are no medications or needles given during the test.
Screening is not for everyone. People who are not at high risk of getting lung cancer should not get screened because there may be more potential harms than potential benefits for them.
The Ontario Lung Screening Program is Ontario’s organized screening program for people at high risk of getting lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death for people in Ontario. The reason so many people die from lung cancer is that by the time it is usually diagnosed, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or is too big.
Lung cancer screening can help find lung cancer early, when treatment has a better chance of working.
People may qualify for lung cancer screening if they:
are 55 to 80 years old
have smoked cigarettes every day for at least 20 years (not necessarily 20 years in a row, which means there could be times when they did not smoke), and
have Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage
If you meet these criteria, you should talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about being referred to an Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP) location, or you can contact a location directly.
Not everyone who is referred to the OLSP will qualify to get screened. An OLSP location will call you to learn more about your risk of getting lung cancer and ask questions about your health and smoking history. Based on your answers to these questions, they will figure out your risk score and tell you if you qualify for lung cancer screening.
The risk score tells you your chance of getting lung cancer in the next 6 years. For example, if your risk score is 10, your chance of getting lung cancer in the next 6 years is 10%. People with a 2% or greater risk of developing lung cancer over the next 6 years are eligible to participate in the OLSP.
Your primary care provider at TW FHT may refer you to the program, or people may contact an Ontario Lung Screening Program location to have their age and smoking history assessed.
Not everyone who is referred to the program will qualify for lung cancer screening.
People who are not at risk of getting lung cancer should not get screened because there may be more potential harms than potential benefits of screening for them.
If you think you have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer; speak with your doctor or nurse practitioner. Screening may not be right for you.
Screening for Lung Cancer | Cancer Care Ontario
What you should know about lung cancer screening.
Lung Cancer | Canadian Cancer Society.
Program: Smoking Cessation Program - Toronto Western Family Health Team
Edited June 26, 2026