Notes on the data: Screening ages

Ages for targeted screening programs: persons born in predominantly non-English-speaking countries, by length of residence in Australia, 2021

Policy context: Australia has three national cancer screening programs which aim to detect signs of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. Each program is targeted to specific populations and/or age groups where evidence shows screening to be most effective [1].

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, provides (via postal service) a free home faecal occult blood test (FOBT), every 2 years to persons aged 50 to 74 years of age.
BreastScreen Australia is a joint initiative of the Australian and State and Territory Governments, which provides a free mammogram every 2 years to women over 40 years of age. This program also actively invites women aged 50 to 74 years to participate in their preventative screening program.
The National Cervical Screening Program, every 5 years invites women and persons with a cervix, aged 25 to 74 years through their health care provider, to have a Cervical Screening Test.

These age data can be compared in the Double Map Atlases with the data for screening participation and outcomes to show variations by geographical area for those born in Australia (previous indicator) and those born in predominantly non-English-speaking countries.

References

AIHW. Cancer Screening. Last updated 27/4/2023 v32.0 http://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-welfare-services/cancer-screening/overview

Notes: The indicator presented is the population that is targeted by the Australian Federal Government, and State and Territory Governments, for participation in their breast, cervical, and bowel cancer screening programs.

The data comprise persons born in 'predominantly non-English-speaking countries which comprise all but the following overseas countries, designated as 'English-speaking': Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Geography: Data available by Population Health Area, Local Government Area, Primary Health Network, Quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage of area and Quintiles within PHNs, and Remoteness Area

Numerator: Persons born in predominantly non-English speaking countries (total); Persons born in predominantly non-English speaking countries, and resident in Australia for five years or more; Persons born in predominantly non-English speaking countries, and resident in Australia for less than five years – in all cases limited to ages as noted above for the specified screening programs

Denominator: Total population, limited to ages as noted above for the specified screening programs

Detail of analysis: Per cent

Source: Compiled by PHIDU based on the ABS Census of Population and Housing, August 2021