Lung cancer: Know the signs, take action

Photograph of a person leaning against a fence
Get screened
Search for clinical trials
true
Quick Links
enhanced-related-link, ctaselection-link
Understanding symptoms and risks
style
background-primary-red
style
background-primary-red
Breast Cancer

A special kind of scan called a low-dose CT can look for lung cancer in people who do not have any symptoms. Early detection contributes to higher survival rates and improved quality of life

If you're between 50-70 years old, show no signs or symptoms of having lung cancer but have a history of smoking, you may be at high risk of lung cancer and eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program that launched in July 2025. Speak to your GP about being assessed for screening.
National Lung Cancer Screening Program
style
background-primary-red, two-col-50-50
extra-styles
offset
style
background-primary-red
LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS

Clues your body might be giving you

Symptoms of lung cancer can be tricky, because they might be noticed in the lungs, other areas
of the body the cancer may have spread to, or not at all.  Some people may feel unwell in general
but may not necessarily connect that with cancer.
Photograph of a person walking on a ranch

Some common symptoms are:

  • Coughing that does not go away
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss without trying
  • Repeated pneumonia
text
symptoms
additionalPadding
narrow
RISK FACTORS

What can raise your risk?

Some things can make lung cancer more likely. Learn about the main risk factors below.
Human body icon

Lifestyle

tile, title-fs-24px, description-fs-16px
Smoking (including e-cigerettes and vaping) is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia.*
*AIHW, Cancer data in Australia, 2025
Cigarette icon

Home environment

tile, title-fs-24px, description-fs-16px
Exposure to second hand smoke in the home can raise your risk of developing lung cancer.
Caution sign icon

Work and community

tile, title-fs-24px, description-fs-16px
Exposure to asbestos, certain chemicals and air pollution in your workplace or community may increase your risk of lung cancer.
A group of three people icon

Medical and family history

tile, title-fs-24px, description-fs-16px
Having previous radation to the lungs or a family history of lung cancer can increase your risk of developing the disease.
additionalPadding
narrow

Early diagnosis of lung cancer can improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. Get screened.

About 68 out of 100 people live 5 years or more when lung cancer is caught early in stage 1, and before it spreads*. A low-dose CT scan is a special kind of X-ray that takes detailed pictures of your lungs. It can help find lung cancer early and lower the chance of dying from it. If you're over 50 and have smoked in the past, you might meet the criteria to get screened. Talk to your doctor about screening programs.

*Cancer Australia, National Cancer Control Indicators – Relative survival by stage at diagnosis (lung cancer).
style
background-primary-red
additionalPadding
narrow
additionalMargin
narrow
roundedBorders
true
DIAGNOSING LUNG CANCER

Steps to a lung cancer diagnosis

If you’re having symptoms, talk to your doctor. They will ask you about your medical history, check your lungs, ask you to blow into a device called a spirometer, or run other tests to rule out other causes like an infection. If you're over 50 and currently smoke or used to smoke, you might meet the rules for a low-dose CT scan to check for lung cancer. The scan is quick and easy—you lie on a table that moves through a machine while it takes pictures of your lungs. This test can help find lung cancer early, which may lead to better treatment outcomes.
Your doctor may run a few tests. Below are some common and potential next steps.
Icon representing an imaging test being done on lungs

Imaging tests

tile, title-fs-28px, description-fs-16px, ctatarget-sametab, ctaexitinterstitial-select
Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs help doctors look for lung cancer and see how far it may have spread—but they can’t confirm cancer on their own.
Microscope icon

Lab tests

tile, title-fs-28px, description-fs-16px, ctatarget-sametab, ctaexitinterstitial-select
Blood tests check how well your body is working, and sputum tests look for cancer cells in mucus—but neither can confirm lung cancer or show how far it has spread.
biopsy icon

Biopsy

tile, title-fs-28px, description-fs-16px, ctatarget-sametab, ctaexitinterstitial-select
A tissue biopsy is the only way to confirm lung cancer and find out its type, using a small sample taken from the body and sent to a lab for testing under a microscope.
dna icon

Biomarker testing

tile, title-fs-28px, description-fs-16px, ctatarget-sametab, ctaexitinterstitial-select
Biomarker testing checks for changes in cancer cells to help doctors choose treatments that are more likely to work for your specific type of lung cancer.
style
background-tertiary-blue
additionalPadding
narrow
A photograph of a patient and healthcare provider reviewing documents together in a medical room
TREATMENT AND TRIALS

Common treatment options for lung cancer

There are different ways to treat lung cancer. Your doctor will help you choose what’s best for you. You might get more than one kind of treatment at the same time. It’s important to ask questions and understand how each treatment works and what side effects it might have.

Here are some common treatments:

  • Surgery – Doctors remove the cancer from your body.
  • Chemotherapy – Medicine that helps shrink or kill cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy – Medicine that helps your body’s immune system fight cancer.
  • Targeted Therapy – Medicine that attacks cancer cells but leaves healthy cells alone.
  • Radiation Therapy – High-energy rays (like X-rays) that kill cancer cells.
text
nonsmallcelllungcancer
style
background-none
additionalPadding
narrow

Explore clinical trial opportunities

We are dedicated to making cancer clinical trials more accessible. These trials often offer investigational
medicines and help advance cancer research. Qualifying participants get care from a dedicated team of
doctors and nurses involved in the study.
Explore Lilly cancer clinical trials
text
4
style
background-primary-red
additionalPadding
narrow
additionalMargin
narrow
roundedBorders
true
No information on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your condition.
CMAT-27011 | May 2026
style
background-none
additionalPadding
narrow