The Australian Department of Health is seeking help from health care providers to increase participation in the national cancer screening programs (bowel, breast and cervical).
We know cancer screening saves lives, but only around 50 per cent of Australians eligible for the national cancer screening programs – BreastScreen Australia, National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and National Cervical Screening Program – complete the tests.
Australians diagnosed through the national cancer screening programs are 59 per cent less likely to die from bowel, 69 per cent less likely to die from breast cancer and 87 per cent less likely to die from cervical cancer compared to Australians diagnosed another way.
Research shows primary health care workers are key to motivating patients to participate in cancer screening.
From mid-June 2022, the department will begin distributing cancer screening packs to more than 8,000 general practices across Australia. The packs will include:
- 3 X A3 posters, one for each national cancer screening program, with reminder messaging. We ask practices to place these in waiting rooms and other places visible to patients to prompt a conversation with their health care provider about cancer screening.
- Demonstration samples of the bowel cancer screening home test kit and the cervical screening self-collection swab – these can be used to show patients how to do the tests.
- Information on how to use the cancer screening tests and where to find educational resources on cancer screening.
More information on cancer screening and resources for health care providers can be found on the Australian Department of Health website.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Australian Department of Health. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
