Strengthening cancer screening across the Murrumbidgee
At a glance
51.8% of eligible people were up to date with cervical screening in 2026, up from 38.6% in 2024
652 people received low-dose CT scans through the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program between July and December 2025
19% increase in Murrumbidgee general practices integrated with the National Cancer Screening Register from August 2025 to August 2026
With cancer incidence rising across the Murrumbidgee, improving participation in screening and supporting earlier detection remain important priorities for Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN).
Throughout 2025-2026, MPHN worked with general practices and partners to strengthen participation across bowel, cervical and breast cancer screening programs, while supporting preparations and early implementation of the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program.
New data shows encouraging progress.
New data shows encouraging progress.
In 2026, 51.8% of eligible people across the Murrumbidgee were up to date with cervical screening, a substantial increase from 38.6% in 2024. Murrumbidgee also improved from 24th of 31 Australian PHNs in 2024 to fifth in 2026 on this measure.
The new National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which commenced on 1 July 2025, also made a strong start. Between July and December 2025, 652 eligible people across the Murrumbidgee received low-dose CT scans, representing 4.5% of all scans completed in NSW during the period. Of these, 31 participants identified as Aboriginal and 19 as culturally and linguistically diverse. Importantly, 302 scans produced actionable findings, equivalent to 46% of scans completed.
Participation in other screening programs also compared strongly across NSW, with Murrumbidgee Local Health District ranked sixth of 15 Local Health Districts for bowel screening participation among people aged 50–74 and fifth for breast screening participation in the same age group.
MPHN continued to encourage general practices to integrate with the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR), enabling clinicians to access patients’ screening histories and identify people who may be due for screening during routine care. The number of Murrumbidgee practices integrated with the NCSR increased 19% between August 2025 and August 2026.
MPHN also promoted BreastScreen NSW clinics and worked with Murrumbidgee Local Health District to plan cervical screening education for culturally and linguistically diverse women in Griffith.
“Cancer screening gives us the opportunity to detect cancer earlier, when treatment can be most effective,” MPHN Primary Care Engagement Officer Georgina Maher said. “By supporting practices with the right information and tools, and helping communities overcome barriers to screening, we can give more people across the Murrumbidgee the best chance of early detection and potentially life-saving treatment.”