Cancer Council Victoria is calling on women to be vigilant about unexplained symptoms and keep up to date with health checks following Women’s Health Week (September 1-5).
Victorian Cancer Registry data shows that more than 17,900 Victorian women were diagnosed with cancer in 2023, with the most common types being breast, thyroid, bowel and melanoma.
One way women can lower their risk of developing cancer is by being up to date with cancer screening. Australia has four free national cancer screening programs for bowel, breast, cervical and lung cancer.
Cancer Council Victoria head of screening, early detection and immunisation Kate Broun encouraged women to catch-up on any overdue health checks and cancer screening tests.
“We are still seeing repercussions from the pandemic of people not keeping up to date with their health checks and cancer screening,” she said.
“It’s so important to take the time to look after yourself and see a healthcare professional if you notice any concerning or new changes to your body. Early detection of cancer saves lives and keeping on top of cancer screening can help find cancer early.”
Helen Clapham is one Victorian woman who is proof cancer screening saves lives.
Despite feeling healthy and having no symptoms, Helen’s first bowel screening test came back positive and at the age of 56 she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.
“I thought ‘oh, here we go again!’. It had been 13 years since I was cleared of my breast cancer and I’m lucky that I had great family support all around,” she said.
“Without the screening program, who knows what may have happened? Because it was detected through screening, the treatment was successful and now I’m able to enjoy life again.”
Now 20 years later, Helen continues to stay vigilant with all her health checks. She also actively encourages friends and family to prioritise their own cancer screening tests.
“I can’t control the whole wide world, but I can try and get more people to do their cancer screening tests – they are an opportunity to get everything checked out,” she said.
The eligibility age for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was lowered in July 2024 to invite people aged 45-49 to order a free at-home bowel screening test kit.
Helen said the lowering of the program’s eligibility age would allow more people to get screened and find bowel cancer early.
“I might have been one of the first people in Australia to be diagnosed with bowel cancer after doing the bowel screening test, so I hope younger people will now have the chance to find bowel cancer early and get treated, just like I did,” she said.
Other ways women can lower their cancer risk this Women’s Health Week include:
1. Attending regular health check-ups with your GP and getting any new or concerning health symptoms checked.
2. Keeping up-to-date with cancer screening. Australia has four national cancer screening programs to help detect cervical, bowel, breast and lung cancer early.
3. Cutting back on alcohol consumption and choose healthier meal options. LiveLighter has free online recipes to help you get started.
4. Taking steps to quit smoking or vaping and get support from Quitline on 13 7848 or quit.org.au
5. Using the five forms of sun protection outside when the UV rating is 3 or above. Download the SunSmart Global UV app for more information.
To find more information about cancer prevention, visit cancervic.org.au. If you need cancer information or support, call the Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20.
