Early detection

BreastScreen Australia

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australian women. The biggest risk factor in developing breast cancer is increasing age. Research has shown that organised breast cancer screening programs are effective in reducing deaths from breast cancer.

BreastScreen Australia, a cost-shared program of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, is a breast cancer screening program for women without breast cancer symptoms and signs. It provides free screening, at two-yearly intervals, and is targeted specifically at women aged 50 to 69 years, although women aged 40 to 49 and 70 years and older can attend screening. The program aims to reduce deaths from breast cancer through early detection. There are 33 accredited screening services providing screening at over 500 locations across Australia.

Women with breast cancer are strongly encouraged to keep close links with their GP or specialist for continued access to specialised cancer screening services.

Phone: 13 20 50 (BreastScreen Australia)

Website: Breast Screen Australia at www.cancerscreening.gov.au

Cancer

At least one in three cancer cases are preventable. More than 13,000 cancer deaths each year are due to smoking, sun exposure, poor diet, alcohol, inadequate exercise or being overweight.

The number of cancer deaths could be reduced significantly if more Australians chose a ‘cancer-smart’ lifestyle.

Find out about cancer prevention and leading a cancer-smart lifestyle at Cancer Council Australia’s website.

Phone: 13 11 20 (Cancer Council Helpline)

Website: Cancer Council Australia at www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle.htm
Top of page

Eye tests

If you are over 40 or you have a family history of eye disease, it is important to have regular eye tests. If you notice any change in your vision, you should contact your GP or optometrist to have your eyes checked. Many eye diseases go undetected because people presume that changes in vision are a natural consequence of ageing.

Other strategies to protect your vision include stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet, wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight and wearing eye protection when undertaking do-it-yourself jobs around the home.

Eye testing by an optometrist is covered under Medicare services. The Medicare Benefits Schedule currently provides for a comprehensive optometric consultation every two years for patients and consultations as clinically required for people with significant changes in vision, new signs and symptoms or progressive disorders.

All states and territories have subsidised spectacles schemes for people who meet certain eligibility requirements. These schemes vary across the states and territories.

Website: Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au

National Cervical Screening Program

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers affecting women. The National Cervical Screening Program, a joint program of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, aims to reduce illness and deaths from cervical cancer in a cost-effective manner, through an organised approach to screening. The program promotes routine screening with Pap smears every two years for women between the ages of 18 (or two years after first sexual intercourse, whichever is later) and 69 years.

Up to 90 per cent of cases of the most common types of cervical cancer can be prevented if cell changes are detected and treated early enough. It is important to keep having Pap smears until you turn 70. After then, your medical practitioner can advise you if it is safe to stop having regular Pap smears. Generally this will be the case if you have had two normal Pap smears in the past five years.
Information is available from your medical practitioner or the National Cervical Screening Program.

Phone: 13 15 56 (National Cervical Screening Program)

Website: National Bowel Cancer Screening Program at www.cancerscreening.gov.au
Top of page

prev page| TOC |next page