Cancer Screening
General practices are central to increasing cancer screening participation and improving equity.
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).
Choose an activity
Practices choose quality improvement (CQI) 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.
Complete the agreed activities
Your practice then works on your proposed activities with. The Brisbane North PHN QI&D Engagement Officer can guide and support you through this process.
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.
