SearchCancer Screening
We support general practices with cancer screening initiatives, including providing information about the following programs:
Breast 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.
Bowel screening
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:
- Display brochures, flyers and posters
- Talk to your patients aged 50 to 74 years old about completing the free bowel cancer test kit
- Use the patient letter template to send a letter to 49 year old patients to encourage participation
- Demonstrate how to use a test kit - kits can be ordered by emailing NBCSP@health.gov.au
Cervical screening
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
- Displaying brochures, flyers and posters
- Sending reminders to eligible patients.
Need PHN support?
Our Primary Care Liaison team is available to provide one-on-one support.
