Cancer initiatives and programs

The Australian Brain Cancer Mission is investing $136.66 million to support research into brain cancer. It aims to double the survival rates and improve the quality of life of patients with brain cancer.

BreastScreen Australia is a joint initiative of the Australian and state and territory governments and aims to reduce illness and death from breast cancer by detecting the disease early. Women over 40 can have a free mammogram every 2 years and we actively invite women aged 50 to 74 to screen.

This program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. If found early, more than 90% of cases can be successfully treated. Eligible Australians aged 50 to 74 are mailed a free test done at home every 2 years. Learn about the program and how to do the test.

The National Cancer Screening Register records personal data from our cancer screening programs. We govern the National Cancer Screening Register under strict protocols to ensure your personal information is safe.

The National Cervical Screening Program reduces illness and death from cervical cancer. 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 toolkit helps healthcare providers engage under-screened and never-screened women in cervical screening, and support them if they choose to participate.

This pilot program aimed to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to do the bowel screening test. It provided resources for families and communities, and primary health care professionals participating in the pilot program.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program will maximise prevention and early detection of lung cancer.

Australian governments run a number of health screening programs that look for early signs of certain diseases. These population-based programs are offered to everyone in defined target groups. Screening helps reduce the risk of Australians developing or dying from these diseases.