Find it early. Change the story.

Are you staying on top of your health checks?

Eating well, managing stress and staying active can all help you look after your health. But there’s another powerful way to protect yourself against serious illness – and that’s taking advantage of the free and recommended health checks available to you.

Find the health check you’re looking for Explore the checks below, or jump straight to a section:

• Cervical screening
• Breast cancer screening
• Bowel cancer screening
• Heart health checks
• Prostate cancer testing
• Skin cancer checks
• Lung cancer screening

Early detection makes a difference

As medical technology continues to improve, it’s increasingly possible to detect many life-threatening illnesses in their early stages.

Early detection and diagnosis may mean:

• more treatment and monitoring options available
• greater chance of avoiding aggressive treatment
• peace of mind if nothing is found
• more years doing the things you love
• less stress for people who depend on you.

Different testing and screening programs start at different ages. To help you keep track for you and your loved ones, here’s a summary of some of the recommended health checks currently available, and when you may be eligible.

Cervical screening (women aged 25 to 74)

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and widespread screening of women in Australia has played a key role in the early detection and treatment of the disease. ^{[1, 2]}

The National Cervical Screening Program invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 to have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years through their healthcare provider. ^[1]

This test looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection spread during sexual activity, which can lead to cell changes in the cervix.

An HPV vaccine is available that protects against up to 9 types of HPV, including those that cause around 70% of cervical cancers. ^[1] Since the HPV vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, vaccinated people still need to have regular cervical screening.

Benefits of early detection

More than 70% of cervical cancers diagnosed in women aged 20–69 between 2002 and 2012 occurred in women who had never screened or who were lapsed screeners. ^[2]

Breast cancer screening (women aged 40 to 74)

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for women in Australia, and screening mammograms are an effective way to find breast cancers early – before they can be seen or felt. ^{[3, 4]}

Through the BreastScreen Australia Program, women aged 40 or over can have a free mammogram every 2 years at one of 750 locations around Australia. From age 50 you’ll receive invitations to use this service, but you can start screening in your 40s. ^[3]

Screening isn’t recommended for women under age 40 as it’s typically less effective, but if you’re in that age group and something feels different or unusual, you should talk to your GP as soon as possible. ^[4] Learn more about what breast changes to look out for.

Benefits of early detection

Women aged 50–69 who were diagnosed with a breast cancer through BreastScreen Australia between 2002 and 2012 had a 42% lower risk of dying from breast cancer by 2015 than women with breast cancers who had never been screened. ^[2]

Bowel cancer screening (men and women aged 45-74)

Bowel (colorectal) cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia for both men and women. It usually develops from small growths called polyps, many of which are harmless but in some cases may turn into cancer. ^[5]

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program invites eligible people to request a free, simple test you can do at home. It’s designed to pick up any traces of blood in your stool that can be a sign of bowel cancer. ^{[6, 7]}

You are eligible to do the screening test every 2 years if you: ^{[6, 7]}

• are aged between 45 and 74
• have a green Medicare card or registered as a Department of Veterans' Affairs customer
• have an Australian mailing address.

Benefits of early detection

If found early, more than 90% of cases of bowel cancer can be successfully treated. ^{[6, 7]}

Heart health (people aged 45+)

According to the Heart Foundation, 1.4 million Australians have a high chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years, but many are unaware of this risk. ^[8]

A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute test with your GP that will help you understand your risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years, and support you to make positive changes to lower this risk. ^[8]

You’re typically eligible for a Heart Health Check if you don’t already have heart disease and you’re aged: ^[8]

• 45 and over
• 35 and over for people living with diabetes
• 30 and over for First Nations peoples.

A Medicare rebate may be available for the check, although your GP may charge an out-of-pocket cost. Your GP can also advise how often you should do the check based on your personal risk factors. ^[8]

Benefits of early detection

Around 80% of cardiovascular disease events are preventable through early detection of risk and treatment. ^[9]

Prostate cancer testing (men aged 50+)

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for 17% of all newly diagnosed cancers. With an ageing and increasing population, the number of men being diagnosed is likely to continue increasing into the foreseeable future. ^[10]

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is Medicare-funded and doesn’t involve an examination. It’s designed to check for changes in your prostate gland that could lead to cancer.

When you start PSA testing depends on your age and your individual risk factors, such as family history. For most people, a PSA test is recommended every 2 years from age 50. However, your doctor may recommend you start testing earlier if you’re more at risk. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has a guide on this.

Benefits of early detection

Over 98% of men with early-stage prostate cancer will be alive 5 years after diagnosis. This drops to around 36% for men diagnosed with late-stage cancer. ^[10]

Skin cancer testing (all people and ages)

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with more than 95% of skin cancers caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. ^[11]

Medicare doesn’t cover screening for skin cancer, but it’s good practice to self-check regularly. Cancer Council Australia recommends people see their doctor if they notice a new spot or changes in size, shape or colour of an existing spot, for clinical skin examinations for the early detection of melanoma. ^[12]

People at an increased and high risk for skin cancer include those who have: ^[12]

• fair skin, a tendency to burn rather than tan, freckles, light eye colour, light or red hair colour
• increased numbers of unusual moles (dysplastic naevi)
• a weakened immune system
• a parent, sibling or child who has had melanoma, and
• previously had melanoma or another keratinocyte cancer.

Cancer Council Australia recommends individuals at high risk of melanoma and their partners should learn how to recognise and document suspicious lesions, and see their doctor every 6-12 months. ^[12]

Benefits of early detection

If caught early, 90% of melanomas can be cured by surgery. ^[13]

Lung cancer testing (high-risk people aged 50-70)

Lung cancer continues to be the most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. ^[14] It’s caused by changes in the DNA of lung cells that make them grow out of control and form tumours.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) is an Australian Government initiative aimed at detecting lung cancer early in high-risk individuals. This includes people: ^[15]

• who are aged between 50 and 70 years
• who smoke tobacco cigarettes or have a history of cigarette smoking (having quit within 10 years)
• with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, and
• have a history of smoking the equivalent of a pack a day – around 20 cigarettes or more – for at least 30 years.

The program uses low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to help identify lung cancer at an earlier stage when treatment is more effective. ^[15]

Your GP will help you determine your eligibility for the program. ^[15]

What difference does it make?

A low-dose CT scan can detect up to 70% of lung cancers at early stages. If detected early, more than 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated. ^[15]

What other support is available?

The Evolve Directory is a curated list of free government and community health services. Whether you're maintaining your health or seeking ways to feel better, our directory of health support resources can help you or someone you care about.

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