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Cancer screening

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.

There are four cancer screening programs:

New screening program: National Lung Cancer Screening Program

The Australian Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) commenced 1 July 2025. This program utilises low dose CT scans to detect lung cancer in high-risk people who do not have signs or symptoms of the disease.

People are eligible for the program if they:

  • are aged 50 to 70
  • have no symptoms or signs that suggest lung cancer (for example, unexplained persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath for no reason)
  • smoke tobacco cigarettes or have a history of cigarette smoking, (having quit within the past 10 years)
  • have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.

The target population will be offered scans every two years or earlier if clinically indicated.

Further information for health care providers is available here

National Cancer Screening Register

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:

  • conduct a participant search and access patient bowel, lung and cervical cancer screening information online
  • view screening results, histories, and correspondence
  • complete and submit clinical forms
  • update participant details
  • order a free replacement bowel screening test kit directly to a patient’s address
  • participate in the alternative access to kits program and bulk order national bowel cancer screening kits to the practice.

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.

How we help

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) supports primary health care providers to screen and offer early detection of cancer. It does this by:

If you have any questions please phone (03) 9347 1188 or email primarycare@nwmphn.org.au

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