If you or someone you love fall into a high-risk category for lung cancer, you might not notice any warning signs until the disease has already advanced. Because early stage lung cancer rarely causes obvious symptoms, you could actually be living with it right now without feeling sick at all.
Fortunately, a vital healthcare initiative in Singapore is offering you the opportunity to take control of your health before symptoms ever appear. Through a completely free cancer screening programme, eligible individuals can undergo advanced medical scanning to catch subtle lung abnormalities early—when treatment is the most effective and survival rates are at their highest. Here’s what you should know.
Why do these free lung cancer screenings matter?
Organised by the 365 Cancer Prevention Society (365CPS) in partnership with AstraZeneca, the Are You At Risk? campaign is currently accepting registrations until November 15, 2026.
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Singapore, accounting for one in five cancer deaths and claiming over 6,190 lives over a five-year period. Alarmingly, about 60% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at a later stage when the disease has spread and treatment options are limited. Meanwhile, the five-year survival rate for Stage 1 lung cancer can reach up to 92%, but it drops to less than 10% by Stage 4.
To help overcome financial barriers to early detection, eligible participants will receive a painless and highly accurate Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) scan to spot early stage changes.
Notably, lung cancer risk is not determined by smoking history alone which makes screening equally critical for non-smokers with genetic risk factors.
Do you qualify for a free lung cancer test?
To qualify for Singapore’s only free lung cancer screening, applicants must hold a valid blue or orange CHAS card or Public Assistance Card. The campaign caters to two main groups: smokers aged 50 to 80 with a history of 20 pack-years or more who still smoke or quit less than 15 years ago, and non-smokers aged 50 to 75 who have a first-degree family history of lung cancer (a parent, child, or sibling).
Eligible individuals can register directly through the 365CPS website or social service centres before the registration window closes.
Key takeaways to remember
- Registration Deadline: November 15, 2026.
- Financial Requirement: Must hold a valid blue/orange CHAS card or Public Assistance Card.
- Smoker Eligibility: Age 50-80 with a 20+ pack-year smoking history (currently smoking or quit within the last 15 years).
- Non-Smoker Eligibility: Age 50-75 with a 1st-degree family history of lung cancer (parent, child, or sibling).
- Screening Method: Painless Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) scan.
