Introduction
Early detection of cancer can significantly improve your chances of successful treatment.
In the Northern Territory (NT), there are screening programs in place for early detection and prevention of certain cancers.
Find out more information about:
Prevention
At least one in three cancers can be prevented.
More than 13,000 cancer deaths in Australia each year are due to smoking, sun exposure, poor diet, alcohol, inadequate exercise or being overweight.
Find out about the simple lifestyle changes you can take to minimise your risk of cancer, including reducing your risk through sun exposure.
HPV vaccine and cancer
Changes to HPV vaccine schedule
From February 2023, the following changes will apply to the HPV vaccine schedule:
- the vaccine will be given in a single dose instead of 2 doses
- eligibility for catch-up vaccines will be extended to people under the age of 26 under the National Immunisation Program.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that cause skin warts, genital warts and some cancers in both men and women.
Prevention and vaccine
Vaccination against HPV is critical to eliminating cervical cancer. Almost all cervical cancers are linked to HPV infection.
Vaccination also protects against genital warts and other HPV related cancers in both men and women.
A single dose of the vaccine is considered fully vaccinated.
Students from 12 years of age (year 7) are offered the free vaccine as part of the Northern Territory's school-based immunisation program.
Catch-up immunisation is available for people under the age of 26 as part of the National Immunisation Program.
For more information go to the Department of Health and Aged Care website or the Cancer Council Australia website.
Bowel screening
Through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, you may be able to get free bowel screening tests every 2 years.
It is a immunochemical faecal occult blood test that:
- can pick up early signs of bowel cancer
- looks for small amounts of blood that are invisible to the naked eye
- involves taking 2 to 3 samples of separate bowel motions (faeces).
You can do the test in the privacy of your own home using a test kit. It will include instructions to guide you through the process.
Who is eligible
From 1 July 2024, the eligible screening age for the program was lowered from 50 to 45 years old.
You are eligible if you:
- are between 45 and 74 years old
- have a Medicare card
- are a Australian citizen, permanent migrant or register as a Department of Veteran Affairs customer
- have an Australian mailing address.
How to get the test
If you are aged between:
- 45 to 49, you can request your first test kit:
- online via the National Cancer Screening Register website
- by calling 1800 627 701
- 50 to 74, you will continue to receive a test kit in the mail every 2 years:
- to check when you will receive your test kit, go to the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
You can also ask your general practitioner (GP) for a test kit.
Your results
If blood is detected, your result is positive. About one in 13 people will have a positive result.
This may be due to conditions other than cancer, such as:
- polyps
- haemorrhoids or
- inflammation of the bowel.
The cause of bleeding will need to be further investigated.
More information
For more information, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care website.
You can read more about the program and access relevant contacts if you need help.
Lifestyle and cancer prevention
Smoking and cancer
Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer and other major illnesses.
Every cigarette you don't smoke is doing you good. You will be able to feel the benefits of stopping smoking within hours and days.
You could also save thousands of dollars a year.
Stopping smoking can be difficult but with the right support you'll be able to quit for good.
For more information on how to quit smoking, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Eat well, keep fit and cut down on alcohol
Eating healthy food, especially fruit and vegetables, will make you feel better, increase your energy and help protect you against serious illnesses.
It is recommended you eat at least two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day.
Most Territorians only eat half of their recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables.
You should do all of the following:
- maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) - between 18.5 and 25 is recommended for adults
- do regular physical exercise - 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day can help reduce your risk of cancer
- eat a healthy balanced diet that includes fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals, low salt, lean meat and reduced fat dairy products
- avoid eating too many processed foods that are high in fat and salt
- only eat takeaways in moderation
- either avoid or limit the amount of alcohol you drink to two standard drinks a day.
Find out more information on exercise and healthy living and keeping a healthy weight.
Sun exposure and cancer prevention
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia.
More than 430,000 Australians are treated a year for skin cancers.
Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
The major cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes in the sun so it is very important to protect your skin from UV radiation.
Skin cancer is largely preventable by protecting yourself against sun damage and sun burn.
Follow these simple steps to reduce your risk.
- cover up by wearing clothes made from light fabrics
- wear a hat that covers your face, ears and shoulders
- wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 +
- stay in the shade
- wear sunglasses that meet the Australian standard AS 1067.
