The Southeast Regional Cancer Program offers lung screening through the Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP). The OLSP is a province-wide, organized screening initiative designed to detect lung cancer early in people at high risk of developing the disease.
The goals of the OLSP are to
- Detect lung cancer earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
- Make sure eligible individuals can get screening that is supported by medical evidence.
- Reduce deaths from lung cancer through organized, coordinated care.
Information for participants
Cancer screening is testing done on people who have a chance of getting cancer, but have no symptoms and generally feel fine. For those who qualify, regular screening is important because it can find lung cancer early, when treatment has a better chance of working.
Participation is voluntary and free for eligible patients with OHIP coverage.
Eligibility
Lung cancer screening is recommended for people at high risk for lung cancer. You may qualify if you meet the following criteria:
- Are age 55 to 80
- Have smoked cigarettes every day for at least 20 years – it does not have to be 20 years in a row, which means there could be times when you did not smoke, and
- Have OHIP coverage
If you meet these criteria you should talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about being referred for screening.
Not everyone who is referred to the OLSP will qualify to get screened.
Please speak to your primary care provider if you would like to be referred now.
Learn more about screening for lung cancer at Ontario Health.
Download the fact sheet: What you should know about lung cancer screening.
Download the fact sheet (French)
To request the OLSP fact sheet in a different language, please email OLSP@KingstonHSC.ca
Download the lung cancer screening information sheet.
How the program works
- Patients can be referred by a healthcare provider or can self-refer to a participating OLSP site.
- The program will confirm eligibility based on age and smoking history.
- Screening: Eligible participants will undergo low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to detect potential signs of lung cancer.
- If screening identifies an abnormal finding, patients will be connected with the appropriate diagnostic or treatment pathway.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get screened?
The OLSP recommends that you get screened every year if you qualify for the program.
What if I do not qualify for lung cancer screening?
Your risk of developing lung cancer can change over time. If an OLSP site tells you that you do not qualify for screening, you should check again in 3 years to see if you qualify. You should check again sooner if you have:
- Started smoking again (if you had quit)
- Been told you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Learned about a new person in your family being diagnosed with lung cancer
Where can I get help to quit smoking cigarettes?
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health, including reducing your chances of getting cancer. If you currently smoke and are referred to one of the OLSP locations you will be offered free services to help you quit smoking.
Information for providers
KHSC is part of the second cohort of OLSP sites to go live across Ontario. The program is fully integrated into KHSC’s diagnostic imaging and cancer care pathways to ensure seamless coordination between clinical workflows.
Note that screening is not diagnostic — it identifies individuals who may need further testing.
Referrals are encouraged for patients who meet the eligibility criteria, but all referrals will be assessed for program suitability before screening is scheduled.
Learn more about the referral process, considerations and frequently asked questions on the OLSP referral form.
