There are two ways you can act to find cancer early:
- It's important to get to know your body and what is normal for you. If you notice anything unusual for you, see your doctor.
- The Australian Government operates the following screening programs for eligible Australians:
The National Cervical Screening Program
The program promotes routine screening with a Cervical Screening Test every five years for women between the ages of 25 and 74 years.
Visit the Cervical cancer screening webpage for more information.
BreastScreen Australia
BreastScreen Australia targets women aged 50-74, although women aged 40-49 and 75 years and older are able to attend for screening.
Visit the Breast cancer screening webpage for more information.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. Eligible Australians aged 45 to 74 can do a free test at home every 2 years.
- People aged 45 to 49 can request a kit online through the National Cancer Screening Register or by calling 1800 627 701.
- People aged 50 to 74 are mailed a free kit every two years,
Visit the Bowel cancer screening webpage for more information.
National Lung Cancer Screening Program
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is a screening program using low-dose computed tomography (low-dose CT) scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without any symptoms.
People are eligible for the Program if they are aged between 50 and 70 years and:
- show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer,
- currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years, and
- have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years.
Visit the National Lung Cancer Screening Program webpage for more information.
