Help support national cancer screening programs
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking help from healthcare providers to increase participation in the national cancer screening programs (bowel, breast and cervical).
Cancer screening saves lives, but only around 50% 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:
Research shows primary healthcare workers are key to motivating patients to participate in cancer screening.
In 2022 the Australian Government distributed GP cancer screening engagement packs to more than 7000 general practices across Australia including demo bowel screening kits, cervical screening swabs and waiting room posters. In evaluation of that mailout, GPs shared that packs were valuable and future packs should include additional translated resources for consumers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. This year new and updated kits will be mailed out, including translated materials, to distribute across practices to help encourage patients to screen for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.
The packs will include:
A3 posters, one for each national cancer screening program, with reminder messaging and information on how to book, including URLs. We are encouraging practices to hang these in waiting rooms and other high traffic areas to prompt conversations with HCPs about cancer screening. Translations of the poster in over 20 languages are available to be printed in-practice.
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.
Illustrated infographics on how to use the cancer screening tests and where to find educational resources on cancer screening. Translations of the illustrated guides are available in over 20 languages online.
More information on cancer screening and resources for healthcare providers can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.