Population Screening and Cancer Prevention

Population Screening and Cancer Prevention is a department of the Tasmanian Health Service with a specific focus on cancer prevention, screening and early detection.

The service delivers three national cancer screening programs in Tasmania, breast screening, cervical screening and bowel screening.

BreastScreen Tasmania provides free screening mammograms for Tasmanian women at clinics in Hobart, Launceston and on the mobile screening units (30 locations state-wide). Each year, approximately 34 000 women receive a breast screening mammogram through the program.

The National Cervical Screening Program aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating early pre-cancerous changes in the cervix. The program recommends that all women aged between 25 and 74 years have a Cervical Screening Test (CST) every five years after their first CST.

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) is managed by the Australian Government in partnership with state and territory governments. The Tasmanian Health Service oversees the implementation of the NBCSP in Tasmania, provides local promotion of the program, and supports the follow-up of participants who receive positive screening results. The program aims to reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality from bowel cancer in Australia by providing screening tests every two years after turning 50 years.