One of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of cancer is to get screened regularly and detect any changes in your body. Below we look at some of the different screening tests that are used to detect cancer.
Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women – one in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The biggest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman, and being over 50.
BreastScreen NSW
Being screened for breast cancer when you don’t have any symptoms can help find cancer early, when it is smaller and easier to treat.
Screening for breast cancer involves having a mammogram every two years from the age of 50 (or earlier if your GP advises it). A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breast tissue. It can show changes that can’t be felt during a physical examination.
BreastScreen NSW invites women aged 50–74 to have free mammograms. Women in their 40s and over 75 are also welcome, but we recommend you speak with your doctor first.
Call BreastScreen NSW on 13 20 50 to book a free mammogram or visit breastscreen.nsw.gov.au for more information.
Learn more about breast cancer screening.
The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but some things can increase the chance of developing it. Breast cancer is most common in women aged 50 or older, but it can affect women of any age.
Other risk factors include having a mother or sister with breast or ovarian cancer, being overweight or gaining weight after menopause, drinking alcohol, and not being physically active.
A small number of women may have inherited a gene fault that increases their breast cancer risk. Using menopause hormone therapy (MHT) that contains both oestrogen and progesterone can also increase the risk of breast cancer. Having risk factors does not mean that you will develop breast cancer. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
Maintaining a healthy weight (particularly after menopause), being physically active and drinking less alcohol are the most important ways you can reduce your risk of breast cancer.
If you’re aged 50–74, take part in the breast cancer screening program. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or a genetic condition that can cause breast cancer, ask your GP whether you need to start screening at an earlier age.
Breast cancer can usually be treated successfully if it is found early. Regularly checking your breasts and having screening mammograms can help find breast cancer early.
To check your breasts for changes, look at them in a mirror and feel them from time to time. Knowing what is normal for you will help you find any new or unusual changes.
What should you look out for?
- A new lump or lumpiness
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- A change to the nipple, such as crusting, ulcers or sores, redness or inversion
- A clear or bloody discharge from the nipple that occurs without squeezing
- A change in the skin of the breast, such as redness or dimpling
- Swelling or discomfort in the armpit
Most breast changes aren’t caused by cancer, but it is best to see your GP for a check-up.
Bowel cancer screening
Screening is particularly important for bowel cancer, which often has no symptoms in its early stages.
Learn more about bowel cancer screening.
Through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, people aged 50–74 are automatically sent a free immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) kit every 2 years. You do the test at home and send it back. You don’t need to change what you eat or stop taking your medicines. A test kit can also be purchased from some pharmacies or online.
If the screening test is negative, it means it found no traces of blood in your sample and you’ll receive another test in 2 years. If you develop symptoms between screening tests, let your doctor know. If the screening test is positive, it means there were traces of blood in your sample and you need more tests.
It is important that people do the screening test as it can find early cancers and some precancerous polyps in the bowel. Removing polyps reduces the risk of developing bowel cancer. Finding bowel cancer early improves the chance of surviving the disease.
If you have questions about how to do the test, need to update your contact details, or haven’t received your test kit, call 1800 627 701 or visit National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. If you are an Indigenous Australian, visit indigenousbowelscreen.com.au.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is for people without symptoms of bowel cancer.
If you have:
- symptoms of bowel cancer – talk to your doctor about having a colonoscopy or other tests
- another bowel condition, such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease – talk to your doctor about how they will monitor your risk of developing bowel cancer
- a strong family history or a genetic condition linked to bowel cancer – talk to your doctor about when you need to start iFOBTs or screening colonoscopies.
Cervical screening
About 960 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Australia each year. Cancer of the cervix is one of the most preventable cancers.
The cervical screening test replaced the Pap test in 2017. It detects cancer-causing types of HPV in a sample of cells taken from the cervix.
The National Cervical Screening Program recommends that women and people with a cervix aged 25–74 have a cervical screening test two years after their last Pap test, and then once every five years.
Learn more about cervical cancer screening.
Self collection is now an option for cervical screening.
All women and people with a cervix are now able to self-collect their sample. Find out more about cervical self-collection, or talk to your GP or nurse today.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Smoking and long-term use of oral contraceptives increase the risk for women infected with HPV.
When the HPV vaccine is given in adolescence, it provides strong protection against cervical cancer.
If you are under 20 and weren’t vaccinated at school, talk to your doctor about having the vaccine now.
For women aged 25 and older, the best protection against cervical cancer is cervical screening.
Cervical cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stages. The screening test is the most effective way to find any precancerous changes or early cervical cancer, which can then be treated.
The HPV vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV, so it’s important to have regular cervical screening tests whether you are vaccinated or not.
A cervical screening test is a test for women who do not have symptoms. If you have symptoms such as pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, always see your doctor straight away – regardless of your age or when you were last screened.
