National cancer screening programs are available in Australia to detect bowel, breast and cervical cancer. These cancers are very treatable when found early.
Cancer screening tests are available free of charge to eligible people. The aim of cancer screening tests is to find very early cancers in healthy individuals, who do not have symptoms. Research shows that these cancer screening tests are the best tools available to find cancer early, which can ultimately lead to saving lives.
Bowel screening
If you are aged 50-74, you will automatically receive a free home test kit every two years in the mail from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. It is important you complete and return your home test kit when it arrives.
If you are aged 45-49, you can order your first free home test kit. Your next kit will automatically be mailed every two years after your first test is completed.
Visit ncsr.gov.au or call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701 to:
- Request your first free home test kit be mailed to you, if you are 45-49 years old.
- Order a replacement test if you have lost or damaged your home test kit, or if it has expired.
- Download more resources in your language.
If you need assistance to complete your home test kit, call the Test Kit Helpline on 1800 930 998.
Breast screening
If you are a woman aged 40 and over, especially age 50-74, have a free mammogram with BreastScreen SA every two years to find breast cancer early. Call 13 20 50 to make your appointment.
All the staff are female, and you can bring a support person or family member with you if you wish.
Cervical screening
If you are a woman or person with a cervix aged 25–74, you should have a Cervical Cancer Screening Test (sometimes called a Well Women’s Check) every five years. You can have the test through a doctor’s clinic or women’s health clinic. Regular cervical screening can prevent cervical cancer from developing.
If you prefer, you can choose to do the test yourself, called self-collection.
Find out more about self-collection
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with any type of cancer and have a five-year survival rate that is 15 per cent lower, at just 50 per cent, than the rest of the Australian population.
Here at Cancer Council SA, we are committed to changing that statistic.
We work collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a respectful and meaningful way to improve health outcomes and educate people on how to cut their cancer risk.
Our prevention and early detection work shares information about cancer risk factors, early detection, and ongoing treatment and support services, ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a greater chance at preventing or surviving a cancer diagnosis.
Want to find out more about how to cut your cancer risk?
Visit Cancer Council Australia’s website for further resources.
More resources
Visit SA Health for more bowel screening resources, including a printable handout for Aboriginal men and women on how to do the test and what happens when the result is positive.
To order a demonstration bowel cancer home test kit email NBCSP@health.gov.au.
For more resources for general practice and Aboriginal Health Organisations visit the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website.
There are some cancer risk factors that you can’t change—like age, family history or previous medical history.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t lower your cancer risk in other ways. One in three cancers can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle.
Lifestyle factors and cancer