The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released its quarterly data report for cancer screening programs.
Cancer screening programs aim to reduce illness and death from selected cancers and the report presents the latest information on participation in Australia’s national bowel cancer, breast cancer and cervical screening programs.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of illness and death in Australia. Some cancers can be detected through screening, which allows for early detection, intervention and treatment.
Australia has three national cancer screening programs:
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP)
- BreastScreen Australia
- National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP).
These programs offer a screening test to people in defined target groups to test for signs of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions.
The latest data showed:
- 660,000 bowel cancer screening invites were sent and 296,000 completed kits were returned in the December quarter 2022
- 68 per cent of people aged 25-74 participated in the National Cervical Screening Program in 2018-2022
- 145,000 cervical screening tests were performed for people aged 25-74 in the December quarter 2022
- 231,000 screening mammograms were performed for women aged 50-74 in the December quarter 2022
