Bendigo Community Health Services has launched a community project to increase cancer screening rates and save lives.

The project will focus on getting more people to screen for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.

BCHS has already worked with GPs in the bulk-billed medical practices and staff from other services to raise awareness of the need for more screening and to encourage them to ensure consumers understand the importance.

BCHS Health Promotion Worker Isabel Nichol-Smith urged other Bendigo medical practices and health organisations to do the same.

"Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia. The death toll for cancer in Australia this year will be around 50,000 people and as a community we must take action,” Ms Nichol-Smith said.

“The most concerning for us is that despite this alarmingly high number of deaths the cancer screening rates in Australia are seriously low. We need to change that and that’s why we are launching this community-led Cancer Screening Saves Lives project with funding from Murray PHN.

“We are going to work hard to increase community awareness of the need for cancer screening, particularly within groups that are most underrepresented such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, refugees and the disadvantaged.

“We encourage people to ask for a cancer screening when they visit their own GP or they can use our bulk-billed medical practices if they don’t have a GP.”

Ms Nichol-Smith said early detection was vital in treating cancers.

“Cancer screening plays a significant role in early detection and diagnosis. Cancer screening allows for cancers to be detected at their earliest stage decreasing the rates of cancer-related deaths, particularly for breast, bowel and cervical cancer.

“The research is clear – if we can get more people into cancer screening we will save lives.

“All women aged 25 or over should have a cervical cancer screening every five years and all women aged 50 or over should have a breast screening every two years. Men should be careful around breast cancer too.

“If you are aged 50 or over you must have a bowel cancer screen every two years.”

Ms Nichol-Smith said there were many reasons why people failed to get a cancer screening but only one reason why they should.

“Some of the reasons people don’t get tested could include cultural barriers, language barriers, a belief that it’s not important, embarrassment to ask for a test or just sheer laziness.

“The one reason no one can dispute for why you should get a test is that something so simple could save your life – it’s your call.”

To learn more about the Cancer Screening Saves Lives project email Isabel Nichol-Smith on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5406 1200.