SWSPHN has developed a fact sheet to provide general practices with an update on changes to cancer screening recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Changes include:
National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)
The NCSR has released a Healthcare Provider Portal which provides a self-service alternative for healthcare providers to access and submit screening data for the bowel and cervical screening programs.
Cervical cancer screening
Self-collection is now available to all people with a cervix.
Bowel cancer screening
Bowel cancer screening kits can now be ordered in bulk to your practice and distributed directly to patients during consultations.
Breast cancer screening
The BreastScreen NSW PUTUWA Project is supporting Aboriginal women to access mammograms from age 40 (previously it was age 50).
National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR)
The NCSR has released a Healthcare Provider Portal which provides a self-service alternative for healthcare providers to access and submit screening data for the bowel and cervical screening programs.
The portal can be integrated into clinical information systems enabling GPs and practice nurses to access and submit data electronically.
It eliminates the need for healthcare providers to contact the National Register via fax, paper and phone, and makes it easier for healthcare providers to submit information.
You can use the National Register in real-time to:
- order your patient a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Test Kit (to their home)
- bulk order National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kits directly to your practice
- check patient screening histories
- receive reminders for patients overdue for screening or follow-up
- check and update patient details
- manage patient program participation
- submit information about your patient, such as colonoscopy or colposcopy information
- nominate other people to assist your patient, including another doctor or a personal representative
Cervical cancer screening
Self-collection cervical screening is now available to all women and people with a cervix (unless requiring a co-test) aged 25 to 74. Cervical screening is now completed every five years.
Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are now available, including;
- How to collect your own sample – procedure
- How to take your own sample – video
- Self-collection and cervical screening test – fact sheet
- Understanding your cervical screening test results – brochure
- The cervical screening test – fact sheet
Bowel cancer screening
People aged 50 and 74 will receive a free at-home bowel cancer screening kit in the mail every two years, to their Medicare-registered address (a patient’s address can be updated directly through the NCSR portal).
You can now bulk order free bowel cancer screening test kits to your practice and distribute directly to patients during consultations. Find out about the Alternative Access to Kits model
Single kits are still able to be ordered directly to a patient’s home.
Orders can be made via the NCSR portal. Register for access to the portal
Bowel cancer screening resources for families and communities are available.
Access the resourcesBreast cancer screening
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are now invited to have their first mammogram at age 40 (previously it was age 50) and then every two years until they are aged 74. A doctor’s referral is not required.
The BreastScreen NSW PUTUWA project launched in January 2023. The PUTUWA project supports evidence that earlier engagement in BreastScreen NSW for Aboriginal women aged 40 to 49 is beneficial. A screening pilot is broadening the recommended BreastScreen NSW screening age range for Aboriginal women to ages 40 to 74 (previously it was ages 50 to 74) to increase biennial participation.