Cancer screening programs look for early signs of the disease or indications that a person is more likely to develop the disease in the future. In most cases early detection of cancer increases the chances of successful treatment, and detecting and treating precursors to cancer can prevent the cancer from developing at all.
The Department of Health is responsible for overseeing the three national cancer screening programs in Victoria:
- breast cancer screening
- cervical cancer screening
- bowel cancer screening.
From July 2025, the Commonwealth Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program will provide low-dose computed tomography scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk people without any symptoms. The program aims to find lung cancer early and reduce deaths from lung cancer.
To find out more, visit the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and Victorian Lung Nodule Clinics page.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Victoria, and the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2023, 3,807 Victorians were diagnosed with bowel cancer and 1,251 died of the disease.
More than ninety per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if found early.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is available to eligible people aged 45 to 74.
Eligible people aged 50 to 74 are automatically invited to screen for bowel cancer using a free, simple test at home every two years.
Eligible people aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel screening kit to be mailed to .
For more information and resources see the National Bowel Cancer Screening .
BreastScreen Australia Program
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Victorian women and the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2023, 5,145 Victorian women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 822 died from the disease. After a diagnosis of breast cancer, 90 per cent of women survive for at least five years.
Finding breast cancer early offers women the best chance of successful treatment and recovery.
The BreastScreen Australia is jointly funded by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. BreastScreen deliver the program in Victoria. They provide services through screening clinics, two mobile vans, and reading and assessment services.
The BreastScreen program invites women aged 50–74 years to have a free mammogram at a breast screening clinic every two years. Women aged 40 – 49 and over age 74 are also able to access the program by contacting .
The National Cervical Screening Program
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Cervical screens detect the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common virus that can cause cervical cancer.
Having regular cervical screening tests can prevent around 90% of cervical cancers through early detection and treatment. Most people who develop cervical cancer in Australia are either overdue for screening or have never been screened.
People aged 25 to 74 who have a cervix, and have ever been sexually active, need a cervical screening test every five years, even if they’ve had the HPV vaccine.
The National Cervical Screening Program offers self-collection as a choice for all people participating in cervical screening. This means people aged 25-74 years have the choice to screen using either a self-collected vaginal sample or a healthcare provider (doctor or nurse) collected test sample from the cervix.
Both options are equally accurate and safe ways to detect HPV or any associated cervical disease.
For more information, visit the National Cervical Screening website.
Reviewed 20 June 2025