Cancer screening and prevention

National Cervical Screening Program

The National Cervical Screening Program aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting early changes in the cervix. The rate of cervical cancer has halved since the Program began in 1991. Eighty per cent of cervical cancer occurs in women who have never screened or don’t screen regularly. There are many ways for clinicians to encourage patients to participate, including:

1. displaying brochures, fliers and posters (click here to order resources)
2. sending reminder to eligible patients.

For more information about the role of general practice please click here.

Cervical Cancer Education

Department of Health and NPS MedicineWise have developed Cervical Screening Online Training Modules and these are now available at NPS MedicineWise. This comprehensive set of online learning modules provide healthcare providers with information on the following areas:

• Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program(NCSP)
• Changes to practice and the cervical screening clinical pathway
• Communicating the importance of screening and test results to patients.

All six interactive online modules are accredited for CPD points with RACGP, ACRRM, ACN, ACM and APNA. The modules cover:

1. Cervical cancer
2. Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program
3. Communicating the importance of screening
4. Screening in practice
5. Understanding the screening pathway
6. Communicating test results and patient management

Clinical Guidelines

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice provides guidance on cervical cancer screening
• National Cervical Screening Program: Guidelines for the Management of Screen-Detected Abnormalities, Screening in Specific Populations and Investigation of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding (2016 Guidelines)

Resources

• Brisbane South PHN Snapshot on Cervical Screening

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. Around one in 23 Australians will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) aims to continue to reduce deaths from bowel cancer through early detection of the disease. This program saves lives – but it can only work with the support of general practice and pharmacy. There are many ways for clinicians to encourage patients to participate, including:

1. displaying brochures, fliers and posters (click here to order resources)
2. talking to patients aged 50 to 74 years old
3. sending a letter to 49 year old patients to encourage participation (download the template letter here)
4. demonstrating how to use a kit (kits can be ordered by emailing NBCSP@health.gov.au)

For more information about the role of general practice please visit: cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/role-of-GPs

Update to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is expanding. From 2019, screening will be offered every two years for all Australians aged 50 to 74 years old. The new immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) kit, and associated pathology services (provided by Sonic Healthcare Limited), were introduced into the Program from 2 January 2018. Changes to the collection method are minimal. Resources have been updated and simplified, and are available in 22 languages. These resources include:

• Home Test Kit Instruction Brochure – Print Friendly
• ‘How to do the test’ Video
• Consumer Information Booklet (sent to invitees with the kit)
• Promoting the Program in General Practice – Info and Tips
• Information Sheet for GPs to assist with encouraging Indigenous participation in the Program, as well as an Information Sheet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Nurses
• Posters and Postcards – available to order – to encourage Indigenous patients to do the test when it arrives in the mail, or check when their test will arrive.
• Translated resources – now available in 22 languages

Bowel Cancer Education

GPs and practice nurses can learn more about bowel cancer screening by participating in the following online education:

• GP education series for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: This series of videos is designed to provide general practitioners with a simplified approach to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (GPs can apply for self-directed RACGP QI & CPD points through the RACGP website)
• National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Webinar for nurses working in general practice – This webinar is a one-hour online seminar on bowel cancer, screening and how nurses working in general practice can approach bowel screening with patients.

Clinical Guidelines

• The National Health and Medical Research Council approved Clinical Guidelines provide an evidence base for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (page last updated 21 March 2018).

Resources

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples resources
• Health professional and consumer resources
• Bowel Cancer Australia free patient resources
• Patient FAQ