Resources for health professionals

You can access a wide range of BreastScreen NSW resources, including information brochures, this GP factsheet and publications in other languages. There are also online learning modules for health professionals supporting the needs of people affected by breast cancer.

GPs can request details of all their patients who have screened with BreastScreen NSW over the past 24 months, and who have given consent for their results to be shared with their GP. Download the GP request form here.

Resources for the community

Breastscreen NSW provides a free mammogram for any asymptomatic woman over 40, every two years. The target age group is between 50 and 74 years. For online bookings, click here. This video provides a guide to breast screening. You can also watch Regina Marchant’s breast screening and early detection story.

 Other useful resources are available below:

• information about the BreastScreen Australia program
• tailored information is available in multiple languages and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Resources for health professionals

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website has bowel screening information for health professionals, and information on the prevention, early detection, and management of colorectal cancer. For instructions about using the National Cancer Screening Register’s (NCSR) Healthcare Provider Portal or Best Practice and Medical Director to access patient histories and submit forms, view this infosheet. 

General practices wishing to improve bowel screening rates amongst their patients can now order bulk supplies of FOBT kits for direct provision to eligible patients. Under the Alternative Access to Kits Model practices are able to order up to 100 kits through the NCSR portal, find out more here. A Guide to the Alternative Access to Kits Model is also available, and this short video explains the ordering process.

Once received, kits can be issued to patients and need to be processed using the portal or your integrated clinical software. Watch this video to find out how to process a kit with a patient.

Other useful resources are available below:

• the National Indigenous Bowel Screening Pilot promotes screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and provides training for health workers
• Cancer Council Australia has an online toolkit to make it easier for GPs and other health professionals to support their patients to screen.

Resources for the community

Bowel cancer screening is recommended every two years for Australians aged between 50 and 74, you can find more information on how to do the bowel screening test here.

Other useful resources are available below:

• bowel screening information is available from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website, including translated materials
• the Indigenous Bowel Screening website is a comprehensive library of information, resources, and videos for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• further information and resources are available via Cancer Institute NSW
• visit the Cancer Council website to better understand cancer and learn how to reduce your risk.

Resources for health professionals

The National Cervical Cancer Screening Program website has comprehensive information and resources for health professionals including evidence, pathology, the new screening pathway, and MBS items. 

Self-screening is now available to all women or people with a cervix, find out more here. Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities, screening in specific populations and investigation of abnormal vaginal bleeding have been updated and can be found here.

For instructions about using the National Cancer Screening Register’s Healthcare Provider Portal or Best Practice and Medical Director to access patient histories, submit forms, and order kits electronically, view this infosheet. 

Other useful resources are available below:

• access information on changes to the management of women at intermediate risk
• guidelines concerning screening of women under 25 
• NPS MedicineWise modules provide online training for healthcare providers (login required)
• a toolkit is available for engaging under-screened and never-screened women in the National Cervical Screening Program.

Resources for the community

On 1 December 2017, the National Cervical Screening Program changed from two yearly cervical cytology testing to five yearly HPV testing for women and people with cervixes aged between 25 and 74 years. Find out more below:

• find out more about the importance of cervical cancer screening via Cancer Institute NSW
• translated resources are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and multicultural communities.
• this Cancer NSW video promotes the importance of cervical screening
• The Inner Circle is a cervical cancer screening campaign for LGBTIQ+ people

• June 2022 general practice resources to help increase participation in national screening programs, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
• Visit canrefer.org.au to find services by location, cancer, and service type.
• Visit Our Mob and Cancer and Yarn For Life for information and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples impacted by cancer.
• The EviQ GP factsheets provide health professionals with clear and concise information on key points to support patients on cancer treatment.