Cancer Council SA, in conjunction with Country SA PHN and Adelaide PHN (the Primary Health Networks), is urging South Australians to make sure that they are up to date with their bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening tests.
Australia is one of the world leaders in cancer screening, with our national cervix, bowel and breast cancer screening programs saving thousands of lives each year.
However, concerning national figures show that cancer diagnoses fell by as much as 20 per cent during the COVID-19 Pandemic, suggesting fewer people were taking part in the national screening programs.
Breast, bowel and cervical cancer screening has now resumed, following some disruptions due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Lincoln Size said that he is concerned with the data and is worried that that South Australians are putting off their tests due to fears surrounding the Pandemic.