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.
There are four national cancer screening programs:
- lung cancer screening
- breast cancer screening
- cervical screening
- bowel cancer screening.
National Lung Cancer Screening Program
The Commonwealth Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program commenced in July 2025 and provides free low-dose computed tomography scans for the early detection of lung cancer.
Eligibility for the program is for those aged 50-70 years with a significant smoking history and no symptoms.
Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Victoria and the leading cause of cancer death. By detecting lung cancer early, the program will help save hundreds of lives each year from lung cancer.
People with high-risk screening results can be referred to one of Victoria’s lung nodule clinics for further assessment, additional testing, and treatment. To find out more, visit the National Lung Cancer Screening .
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Victoria, however over 90% of cases can be successfully treated when detected early.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers a free, simple at-home test to help detect bowel cancer early. Eligible people aged 50 to 74 are automatically invited to screen for bowel cancer 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 .
BreastScreen Australia Program
Breast screens are used to find breast cancers early, before they can be seen or felt. 1 in 7 Australian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and this risk increases with age. The earlier breast cancer is detected and treated, the better the chances of surviving it.
The BreastScreen is jointly funded by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. deliver the program in Victoria. They provide services through screening clinics, 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 .
National Cervical Screening Program
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and Victoria in on track to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2035.
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 website.
Reviewed 01 July 2025