South Western Sydney PHN is a not-for-profit health organisation dedicated to supporting general practitioners, practice nurses and other primary health providers.
New community resources are now available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer, their families, communities and health professionals.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk of being diagnosed with and impacted by cancer. That’s why it’s important to know what to do about cancer, where to get help and support services.
Our Mob and Cancer is a Cancer Australia website providing critical information about the impact of cancer, ways to protect against cancer, types of cancer, diagnosis, treatment and living with cancer, how cancer spreads and where to get help and support.
18 January 2023
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
Did you know you have a choice when it comes to cervical screening?
ACON has launched a new campaign called Own It which aims to empower young women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 35 years to make their Cervical Screening Test their ‘own’, by choosing how to screen.
The campaign is based on the experiences of real people who have overcome barriers to cervical screening by choosing how their Cervical Screening Test is done.
Their choices include self-collection, bringing a friend, inserting the speculum themselves, finding a doctor they can trust, talking to others and educating themselves to address misinformation.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus or womb. Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
What is the Cervical Screening Test?
The Cervical Screening Test is how we screen for cervical cell changes so they can be monitored or treated to prevent cancer from developing. It’s for anyone with a cervix who has ever been sexually active – regardless of gender identity, sexuality or sexual history.
Who should have a Cervical Screening Test?
If you have a cervix and are aged 25 to 74, you should have a Cervical Screening Test every five years.
More cervical screening options
Everybody attending for a Cervical Screening Test can choose if they would like their clinician to collect their sample or if they would like to collect their own sample. This is called self-collection. Self-collection involves a vaginal / front hole swab. The collection device looks like a long cotton bud.
How do I know when I’m due for my next test?
The National Cancer Screening Register sends invitation letters to start screening when you turn 25 and reminders when your next test is due. The register collects your info from Medicare, so if your name does not match your Medicare card, you can change it in the National Cancer Screening Register by calling them on 1800 627 701.
Practices are invited to prepare for a new cervical screening campaign by ACON called ‘Own It’ in January 2023.
The campaign aims to empower young women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 35 years to make their Cervical Screening Test their own, by choosing how to screen.
The campaign is based on the experiences of real people who have made choices about how their Cervical Screening Test is done, to overcome barriers.
Their choices include self-collection, bringing a friend, inserting the speculum themselves, finding a doctor they could trust, talking to others and educating themselves to address misinformation.
For people who are eligible for a Cervical Screening Test, GPs should offer the choice of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by either:
self-collected vaginal sample using a simple swab (unless a co-test is indicated)
clinician-collected sample from the cervix using a speculum and a soft brush
Eligible people include anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74, who has ever had any sexual contact.
GPs must order and oversee both options.
Both are accurate and safe ways to collect a sample for a Cervical Screening Test.
Please give your patients clear information about the pros and cons of both sample collection options, including possible follow up requirements. This supports the patient in making an informed decision.
19 December 2022
Doctors, did you know you can refer a patient directly to the Leukaemia Foundation for assistance with a range of support services and blood cancer advice?
The Cancer Institute NSW has launched a new campaign to encourage younger people, aged 18 to 24 years in NSW, to protect their skin from UV radiation.
This group is particularly at risk as they are less likely to protect their skin from the sun than the general population.
The campaign’s key messages are:
Melanoma is the most common cancer among young Australians
If you could see UV radiation, you would protect your skin
Be prepared before you go outdoors
Protect your skin in five simple ways: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide
The campaign demonstrates the scale and danger of UV rays by depicting them as illuminated ‘Arrows’ hurtling down from above, transforming it into a tangible and ever-present threat.
ACON is launching a new cervical screening campaign called Own It in January 2023. The campaign aims to empower young women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 35 years to make their Cervical Screening Test their own, by choosing how to screen.
The campaign is based on the experiences of real people who have made choices about how their Cervical Screening Test is done, to overcome barriers.
Their choices include self-collection, bringing a friend, inserting the speculum themselves, finding a doctor they can trust, talking to others and educating themselves to address misinformation.
For people who are eligible for a Cervical Screening Test, GPs should offer the choice of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by either:
self-collected vaginal sample using a simple swab (unless a co-test is indicated)
clinician-collected sample from the cervix using a speculum and a soft brush
Eligible people include anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74, who has ever had any sexual contact.
GPs must order and oversee both options. Both are accurate and safe ways to collect a sample for a Cervical Screening Test.
Please give your patients clear information about the pros and cons of both sample collection options, including possible follow up requirements. This supports the patient in making an informed decision.
The Own It campaign will launch on Monday, 16 January and run throughout February.
If you’d like to order campaign posters (A3 or A4) for your practice or service email canwe@acon.org.au.
21 November 2022
The Daffodil Centre – a partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney – is inviting GPs and practice staff to take part in a new study which aims to co-design a general practice-led intervention to increase National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) participation. Eligible participants are GPs and practice staff who work within practices with a minimum of two GPs and use electronic patient records. The study involves participating in a 60 to 90-minute online focus group. Results from this research will aid in understanding GP and practice staff perspectives about optimal intervention components, and potential barriers and enablers which may impact intervention components.
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 23 November 2022. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.
31 October 2022
The Cancer Institute NSW has provided the November update for primary healthcare providers.
NEW! Primary Care Cancer Control Quality Improvement Toolkit
This easy-to-follow Cancer Control Quality Improvement Toolkit is specifically developed for primary care providers to improve patient participation in cancer screening and positive prevention behaviours. Access the toolkit
National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week 7 to 13 November
Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 years of age are invited to have a cervical screening test every five years through their healthcare provider. Find out about Cervical Cancer Awareness Week and how you can encourage your patients to screen.
Why cervical screening is important for women who have experienced genital mutilation
Women who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM) have higher levels of cervical cancer. Barriers and opportunities are afforded by the new guidelines around self-collection. Learn about providing care to women who have undergone FGM.
“Shisha No Thanks” online training module
As a primary care provider, you may have patients or clients, particularly from Arabic speaking or other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, who smoke shisha. Learn how to approach conversations with patients about shisha smoking via this short online training module.
New skin cancer prevention campaign launching in November
The Cancer Institute NSW will launch a new state-wide skin cancer prevention campaign from mid-November to motivate young people to protect their skin from harmful UV radiation. Learn more about the campaign.
How to talk to your patients about the link between alcohol and cancer
When it comes to cancer, there is no safe level of alcohol. Speaking with your patients who drink alcohol and tailoring health information for them can have other benefits including better mental health and overall wellbeing. Find information to support discussions about reducing alcohol intake.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is observed annually in November and the Cancer Institute NSW has led a study population-based linkage study on country of birth and non-small cell lung cancer incidence, treatment and outcomes in NSW. Read more about the study.
05 September 2022
Multicultural Health Week this week (5 to 11 September) is an opportunity to raise awareness of health issues experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This year’s theme is Cancer Screening, with a focus on the three National Cancer Screening Programs.
Australians who spoke a language other than English at home had a lower bowel screening participation rate than those who spoke English at 25 to 34 per cent compared to 45 to 49 per cent, respectively (source: AIHW 2021 National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Monitoring Report)
Resource Directory listing Cancer Institute NSW all in-language resources
Language resources: Cancer Institute NSW has produced factsheets in 38 languages with key messages on the national cancer screening programs. They are downloadable as factsheets or as audio files (in eight languages). Access the resources here or here
The Daffodil Centre – a partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney – is inviting GPs and practice staff to take part in a new study which aims to co-design a general practice-led intervention to increase National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) participation. Eligible participants are GPs and practice staff who work within practices with a minimum of two GPs and use electronic patient records. The study involves participating in a 60 to 90-minute online focus group. Results from this research will aid in understanding GP and practice staff perspectives about optimal intervention components, and potential barriers and enablers which may impact intervention components.
