Cancer services performance
Queensland Health aims to improve outcomes for Queenslanders affected by cancer through early detection, early intervention and continuity of care. This page provides a summary of the participation rates for cancer screenings and waiting times to access therapies.
National cancer screening programs
Cancer can be more challenging to manage or treat if it is only detected in a patient after it has metastasised (meaning, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body). Since patients with pre-cancerous conditions or cancers in early stages can be asymptomatic (meaning, they exhibit no disease symptoms), it is important to screen for cancer early and regularly.
Queensland Health is responsible for coordinating and supporting implementation of the 3 national cancer screening services (breast, bowel and cervical) to eligible Queenslanders to assist in the early identification of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. If a cancer diagnosis is made or pre-cancerous condition is identified, patients can access prevention and treatment therapies and surgeries at Queensland public hospitals.
The following measures provide a summary of the number of screens performed and the percentage of breast cancers found through breast screening that are small in size, suggesting early indication.
National Cancer Screening Register
To read about the national bowel and cervical screening programs, visit the National Cancer Screening Register website.
BreastScreen Queensland
To learn more about breast cancer screening in Queensland, including checking eligibility and locations, visit the BreastScreen Queensland website.
Breast cancer screening activity
Queensland Health monitor and report the cancer screening performance to help increase the number of eligible Queenslanders participating in cancer screening. The Queensland Government is investing heavily in approaches to help increase the number of Queenslander’s participating in cancer screening.
Through the national cancer screening program:
- Women in Queensland over 40 are eligible to have a free mammogram every 2 years to screen for breast cancer. This screening can be performed at a BreastScreen Australia unit.
Percentage of bowel cancer and cervical screening target achieved
Similar to breast cancer, Queensland Health monitor and report the bowel cancer and cervical screening performance to increase screening rates. The participation rate indicates the percentage of the eligible or target population who have completed a bowel or cervical cancer screen.
Through the national cancer screening program:
- Eligible Queenslanders aged 50-74 are provided a free, at-home faecal occult blood test (FOBT) to screen for bowel cancer. The at-home screening kit can be delivered by mail or accessed through a local healthcare provider.
- Eligible women in Queensland aged 25-74 are invited to have a cervical screening test every 5 years to screen for cervical cancer. This screening can be performed by a local healthcare provider.
Waiting time for radiation treatment
Radiation treatment uses radiation directed at a localised area to kill or damage cancer cells and prevent spread. Services are available at 7 public hospitals in Queensland and are performed by a radiation oncologist. Patients are assigned a clinical priority category based on clinical need and scheduled for therapy according to the likelihood of the patient's condition deteriorating or becoming an emergency.
The average waiting time for radiation treatment measures the average number of working days a patient is waiting to access radiation treatment through Queensland Health.