Cancer Screening

Early detection of cancer saves lives. Regular screening for cervical, bowel and lung cancer helps find disease earlier, when treatment is most effective. Screening not only improves survival rates but also reduces the need for more invasive and costly treatments (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2023). 

Australia has halved cervical cancer cases and deaths since 1991 through organised screening and prevention programs. That success sets the course to eliminate cervical cancer entirely in the coming decade (Cancer Australia, 2023). Research shows that around 70% of eligible Australians now screen on schedule every five years using the updated HPV-based test (NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control [C4], 2023). Despite national gains, some Queensland communities, including culturally and linguistically diverse groups, First Nations peoples, people with disability and LGBTQI+ individuals, still face barriers to access and follow-up. These challenges continue to widen health gaps (AIHW, 2023). 

In July 2025, Australia initiated the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, marked the first new cancer screening initiative to be introduced in two decades. Free, two-yearly, low-dose CT scans will be offered to high-risk people aged 50–70. Evidence shows this program could detect up to 70% of lung cancers at early, more treatable stages and prevent more than 500 deaths each year (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2024). 

An incentivised approach

Funding is available to improve cancer screening in your practice. Funded by Queensland Health’s Population Health Promotion Screening Team, Brisbane North PHN can provide payments of $1,250 (excluding GST) to practices undertaking four Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities to increase cancer screening rates in their practices.   

Practices can submit an EOI to participate in incentivised cancer screening CQI activities until the 30th October 2025.

Step 1. Choose an activity

Practices choose four continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities from the practice payment guide or you can choose to develop practice-specific activities you think will improve cancer screening rates for your patient cohort. The Practice Development Matrix can help you to develop these activities. 

Step 2. Submit an expression of interest before the 30th of October 2025

Apply by completing Part One of the continuous quality improvement (CQI) application and submit via email to Practice Support by the 30th of October 2025. This document will ask you to outline the goals you want to achieve, which four activities you want to implement, timelines you will be working to, and how you will measure your progress.  

Step 3. Written agreement between Brisbane North PHN and the practice

Brisbane North PHN will review your application and send you a CQI application to sign and return.  

Step 4. Complete the agreed activities

Your practice then works on your proposed activities with between the period of September 2025 and 14 February 2026.  Your Brisbane North PHN QI&D Engagement Officer can guide and support you through this process. 

Step 5. Invoicing and payment

At the end of the project, you will complete Part Two of the continuous quality improvement (CQI) application and submit it via email to Practice Support, together with an invoice for your completion payment of $1,250 exclusive of GST (so a total amount of $1,375).

Get Support

For support and guidance on implementing health assessments in your practice, contact our quality improvement and development engagement officers via the Practice Support email and phone line.