Cancer screening

Cancer screening is a preventative measure that can detect cancer early when interventions can be most successful. General practice plays a key role in the promotion and awareness of cancer screening to maximise screening participation rates and reduce cancer risks. There are many risk factors for cancers that general practice can explore with patients. The identification of patients who may be at increased risk of developing cancer, the provision of tailored advice and supplying or supporting access to cancer screening is essential for reducing cancer risks for patients.

Murray PHN supports general practices to establish effective practice systems which improve cancer screening rates, including:

  • improving recall and reminder systems
  • promotion of the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)
  • strategies to increase participation
  • using medical software to identify at-risk patient cohorts
  • data cleansing and analysis
  • staff education
  • sourcing patient information resources.

There are three national screening programs:

  1. National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
  2. BreastScreen Australia
  3. National Cervical Screening Program

The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) is a national database that enables general practices to access real-time screening information and manage patient participation in the National Cervical Screening Program and National Bowel Cancer Screening Program through secure online portals and integrated clinical software. To learn more, watch this video or visit the National Cancer Screening Register.

Cancer screening resources

Other practical resources

Education

For more information

Contact our general practice support team e: gpsupport@murrayphn.org.au

Last Update: January 31st, 2025

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.