The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC) are paving the way for culturally safe lung cancer screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) has partnered with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance to support VAHS and GEGAC in the implementation of the lung cancer screening pilot project.
As part of the project, VAHS and GEGAC will design, implement and promote screening initiatives, and research key factors that encourage and support eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in the National Lung Cancer Screening program, which launched across Australia on 1 July 2025.
The project focuses on ensuring lung cancer screening is culturally safe, respectful and accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This includes identifying barriers, listening to Community voices, and working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to ensure the screening experience meets the needs of their Community.
The project findings will provide insights for ACCOs, local Communities, Health Services and Government on ways to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in lung cancer screening.
The pilot project has been modelled off the success of other Aboriginal-led health projects which empower ACCOs to lead initiatives that are relevant, responsive and engaging to their Community and provide a safe space to get screened.
Many ACCOs across Victoria will be working to support Mob to screen with the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program.
Lung cancer screening is available to people aged 50 to 70 who currently smoke or have quit within the last 10 years. Lung cancer screening can help find cancer early when it’s easier to treat, supporting people to stay healthy for longer.
VACCHO congratulates VAHS and GEGAC on their staunch leadership and commitment to improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
To find out more about lung cancer screening, yarn with your doctor or Aboriginal Health Worker about a lung screening referral.
Learn more about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program here.
