Overview

Population-based screening is an organised, systematic and integrated process of testing for signs of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions in populations without obvious symptoms. Programs target specific populations and/or age groups where evidence shows screening to be most effective.

More reports and statistics on cancer screening can be found under Cancer.

Latest findings

The number of bowel cancer screening tests did not clearly correspond with COVID-19 restrictions There were fewer cervical screening tests in 2020 but COVID-19 impact cannot yet be quantified due to program change Screen-detected bowel cancers less likely to cause death than bowel cancers diagnosed in people never invited to screen There were around 13,000 more screening mammograms performed In September 2020 than in September 2018 Participation in cervical screening was higher in HPV-vaccinated women than in unvaccinated women Screen-detected cervical cancers less likely to cause death than cervical cancers diagnosed in never-screened women In April 2020, around 1,100 screening mammograms were performed, compared to more than 74,000 in April 2018 Screen-detected breast cancers less likely to cause death than breast cancers diagnosed in never-screened women Cancers detected by screening have better outcomes; but effects of delayed screening will not be known for some time

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Cancer screening Quarterly data

Latest rates, trends & data visualisations.

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Highlights

Screen-detected bowel cancers less likely to cause death than bowel cancers diagnosed outside the program
Participation in cervical screening was higher in HPV-vaccinated women than in unvaccinated women
Screen-detected bowel cancers were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier cancer stage
Screen-detected breast cancers less likely to cause death than breast cancers diagnosed in never-screened women
Screen-detected cervical cancers less likely to cause death than cervical cancers diagnosed in never-screened women