Home / Programs / Population health / National Cancer Screening Programs
For Primary Sense and the NCSR, contact us at practicesupport@ntphn.org.au
To request your NT HealthPathways log in details today, reach us at healthpathways@ntphn.org.au
Cancer screening saves lives. In Australia, there are four national cancer screening programs available to detect breast cancer, bowel cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer.
Compared with Australians diagnosed by other means, those diagnosed through screening programs are:
   • 59% less likely to die from bowel cancer
   • 69% less likely to die from breast cancer
   • 87% less likely to die from cervical cancer.
Research shows healthcare workers are key to encouraging patients to take part in cancer screening.Â
This page contains useful information for primary health care professionals on the four national screening programs.
People aged 45 to 74 are eligible to join the program and screen for bowel cancer using a free test kit at home every 2 years.
Women over 40 can have a free mammogram every 2 years via BreastScreen Australia, a joint initiative of the Australian and territory governments.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 years of age are invited to have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years through their healthcare provider.
This new program provides free, low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for eligible individuals who show no signs or symptoms suggestive of lung cancer aged 50 to 70 years with a 30 pack-year history of smoking who currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years.
A new helpline has been launched to support Lung Cancer Screening Access
Lung Foundation Australia has launched a dedicated helpline to assist with enquiries about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. Experienced nurses offer free, confidential guidance to help Australians understand their eligibility and take proactive steps toward early detection and better outcomes.
Call 1800 654 301 or visit National Lung Cancer Screening Program – Lung Foundation Australia
Lung Foundation Australia offers a range of free, evidence-based online training modules designed to support health professionals across multiple learning formats.
The NCSR facilitates and streamlines engagement in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, National Cervical Screening Program, and National Lung Cancer Screening Program for eligible participants and their healthcare providers.
Review the Primary Care Onboarding Toolkit to learn how to make the most of NCSR integration and support your patients in bowel, cervical and lung cancer screening.
There are severalÂ