Cancer Screening

BreastScreen Queensland provides free screening and assessment for eligible women every two years. The screening program is specifically designed to actively encourage women aged 50 to 74 years to attend regular screening as the evidence of screening benefit is strongest in this age group. However, the program also accepts women in their 40s or 75 years and over.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) aims to continue to reduce deaths from bowel cancer through early detection or prevention of the disease.

In 2019, the program expanded to offer screening every two years to every Australian aged 50 to 74 years old using the new immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) kit and associated pathology services which were introduced on 2 January 2018.

How your practice can encourage patients to participate:

1. Display brochures, flyers and posters
2. Talk to your patients aged 50 to 74 years old about completing the free bowel cancer test kit
3. Use the patient letter template to send a letter to 49 year old patients to encourage participation
4. Demonstrate how to use a test kit - kits can be ordered by emailing NBCSP@health.gov.au

The National Cervical Screening Program aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting early changes in the cervix. Eighty per cent of cervical cancer occurs in women who have never screened or don’t screen regularly.

In December 2017, the Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap test which detects infection with human papillomavirus (known as HPV) and should be undertaken every five years.

How your practice can encourage patients to participate

1. Displaying brochures, flyers and posters
2. Sending reminders to eligible patients.

From July 2025, eligible Australians aged 50-70 are able to participate in the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program and have a low-dose CT scan every two years to look for signs of lung cancer.

Led by the Australian Government, in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, this program is designed to be equity-focused, culturally safe, and person-centered.

Healthcare providers and the health support workforce will play a critical role in the delivery of the program, assessing participant eligibility, referring eligible participants to the program, and guiding participants through the screening and assessment pathway.