Aussie first: from screening to surgery in two weeks

Cabrini patient Patrick Griffin is Australia’s first person to be screened, assessed, diagnosed with lung cancer, and have curative surgery under the newly launched National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP).

Patrick, a 65-year-old father of two, attended a consultation for sleep apnoea with Cabrini Respiratory and Lung Cancer Specialist Dr Hari Wimaleswaran, completely unaware that he had a cancerous tumour in his lung.

Dr Wimaleswaran referred Patrick to the Federal Government’s free screening program because he met some of the eligibility criteria, not because any symptoms were present, and on the very same day, Patrick had his lungs screened.

“After explaining the benefits of screening and that the Australian Government’s Program involves a free low-dose chest scan, Patrick was very quick to participate, and it’s fortunate that he did,” Dr Wimaleswaran said.

“The majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at late stages – three and four – with only 26 per cent of people with lung cancer surviving five years post-diagnosis. However, if found early, lung cancer can be successfully treated.

“Patrick is exactly the type of patient that this Program has been designed to identify.”

After his scan, a Cabrini multidisciplinary team gathered to assess his results, take additional scans, diagnose him with stage one cancer, and schedule surgery with Cabrini Cardiothoracic Surgeon Associate Professor Chris Merry – all within two weeks of his sleep apnoea appointment.

Last Friday, A/Prof Merry successfully removed Patrick’s lung tumour.

“The surgery went very well, and the cancer hadn’t spread, so we caught his cancer early, at stage one,” A/Prof Merry said.

“Patrick’s tumour was the size of a grape, and he had no symptoms. If he’d waited until he had symptoms, he’d likely have been at stage four with a tumour the size of an orange, and the cancer would most likely have spread. His treatment options would’ve been very limited.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming about 9,000 lives per year. It is often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited, but doctors are hopeful this Program will shift the dial on lung cancer survival through early detection of the disease.

For Patrick, who was a heavy smoker until he gave up 12 months ago, and worked for 40 years as a concrete cutter – a high-risk trade for lung condition – he is incredibly grateful to everyone involved in his care.

“I’m very grateful to Dr Hari for recommending I should be screened – he’s my hero,” Patrick said. “I’d hate to think what could’ve happened if he hadn’t told me about it and encouraged me to have the CT scan.”

Patrick has some sound advice for anyone who fits the Program’s eligibility criteria – if they’re aged 50-70, and:

• show no signs or symptoms suggesting you may have lung cancer (that is, you are asymptomatic)
• currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years
• have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.

“To anyone out there who is eligible, talk to your GP about screening,” Patrick advised. “My lung cancer has been caught before it’s had a chance to spread; it’s saved my life, so make an appointment today, because it might save yours, too.”

The NLCSP, which launched on 1 July 2025, aims to save more than 500 lives per year through early detection, ramping up to more than 10,000 Australians in the next 10 years.

A Channel 9 News crew followed Patrick’s journey. Watch his news story, and if you are a referring doctor and have any patients who meet the eligibility criteria, refer them to the NLCSP.