Cancer screening programs look for early signs of disease or the conditions that cause it. In most cases early detection increases the chances of successful treatment. Detecting and treating precursors to cancer can prevent it from developing at all.
The Victorian Department of Health is responsible for overseeing the three national cancer screening programs in the state:
A fourth program – the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program – will begin for eligible people from July 2025. The program will use low-dose computed tomography scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without symptoms. Visit this Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care page to learn more.
The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) allows health care providers to more easily access patient cervical and bowel cancer screening data in real time, ensuring they remain up to date. This is done through the Register’s Healthcare Provider Portal (HPP).
The HPP enables health care providers to:
For more information watch these walk-through video guides or see the step-by-step instructions.
Note that access to the NCSR HPP requires a PRODA account.
The NCSR can be integrated into compatible clinical software, such as BpPremier, MedicalDirector Clinical, Communicare and Gynaecology Plus. See here for more information.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) supports primary health care providers to screen and offer early detection of cancer. It does this by:
Templates for self-directed quality improvement ideas to boost cancer screening, patient outcomes and deliver best practice care are available for general practices. They include:
These activities may provide GPs with Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) continuing professional development (CPD) hours, and support practices eligible for the Practice Incentive Program Quality Improvement Incentive.
If you have any questions please phone (03) 9347 1188 or email primarycare@nwmphn.org.au
HealthPathways Melbourne is a continuously updated clinical management and referral resource for use during consultations. It gives clinicians a single website to access referral pathways and resources, including:
RACGP Red Book
The RACGP Red Book includes guidelines for early detection of specific cancer types.
Multilingual support resources
Click here to access the Cancer Council’s multilingual information and support resources.
For further information or support about cancer screening, please email primarycare@nwmphn.org.au or call (03) 9347 1188
We acknowledge the people of the Kulin nations as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our work in the community takes place. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
While the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
We acknowledge the people of the Kulin nations as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our work in the community takes place. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
While the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
