The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is leading a project to evaluate the Nodule Management Protocol to understand whether it is working as intended in real-world settings.
National Lung Cancer Screening Program
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is a screening program that uses low-dose CT scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without any symptoms. The program launched on 1 July 2025.
Nodule Management Protocol Evaluation Project
The NLCSP uses a CT scan to look for any small lumps in the lung, called nodules. Most nodules are harmless, but doctors keep an eye on them because a few can be early signs of lung cancer.
The NLCSP Nodule Management Protocol provides detailed guidance for radiologists for reporting on lung nodules and making recommendations for what should happen next, for example, when another scan is required or whether the person should be referred to a specialist.
The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is leading a project to evaluate the Nodule Management Protocol to understand whether it is working as intended in real-world settings.
The project aims to understand:
- What happens to participants after they receive their scan results showing a nodule or other unexpected finding
- How clear and useful health professionals are finding the guidance
- Whether it is practical and culturally appropriate in different settings (like regional, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities).
This project will suggest changes to the Nodule Management Protocol, so it is consistently used across the health system and can help improve participant experiences and outcomes.
