Download: Cancer control in NSW: Annual performance report 2016 (PDF)
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Read more about the following key performance indicators for cancer screening across cancer control in NSW.
Breast screening in NSW
- In NSW, breast cancer accounted for 27.4% of all new cancer cases in women, and 14.6% of all cancer mortality in women in 2012.[1]
- One in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and nine in ten women in NSW with breast cancer do not have a family history.
- Population-based screening programs result in treatment at earlier stages of disease, which simplifies treatment, improves survival and reduces costs.
- A screening mammogram is the best method to detect breast cancer early for women aged over 50 years. The smaller the cancer when a woman is diagnosed, the more options she has for treatment. If her cancer is detected by BreastScreen NSW, she is almost half as likely to need a mastectomy.
Survival at five years following a breast cancer diagnosis is much higher for women who are diagnosed early.
- BreastScreen NSW provides a free two-yearly mammographic screening program to women in NSW, and specifically targets those in the 50 to 74* year age group. Women aged 40 to 49, and 75 years and over, can also access the screening program.
- The BreastScreen Australia National Accreditation Standards specify a national biennial breast screening participation target of 70 per cent for women aged 50 to 69 years. This rate is yet to be achieved by any jurisdiction in Australia.
- Ongoing promotion and education around the benefits of screening (in culturally appropriate ways) has contributed to a steady increase in breast screening participation.
- Endorsement by general practitioners and other primary care providers also increases participation in cancer screening, and this is a strategic focus of the NSW Cancer Plan.
- The total BreastScreen NSW participation rate for women aged 50 to 69 years increased from 51.6% in June 2015 to 52.1% by 30 June 2016.[2]
- The number of screens performed in this age group over this period increased by more than 12,500; from 243,115 in 2014/15 to 255,993 screens in 2015/16.[2]
- The number of Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse women participating in breast screening is increasing across NSW, though remains lower than the state average. This results in later diagnosis and poorer outcomes.
- Approximately 8% of women aged 50 to 69 years in NSW undertook breast imaging, some of whom may have been eligible to use the BreastScreen NSW program.[3]
* While the eligibility age range for BreastScreen was extended from 50–69 to 50–74 in 2013, the 50–69 and
70–74 year age groups will continue to be reported on separately to preserve trend analysis.
References:
- Data source: Annual NSW cancer incidence and mortality data set, 2012 (sourced from the NSW Cancer Registry).
- BreastScreen NSW, 2016.
- Cancer Institute NSW. Linked analysis of BreastScreen, 45 & Up survey and Medicare data; 2016. Unpublished.
Notes:
- Figures for Murrumbidgee LHD include Albury LGA.
- Health network and/or speciality network indicators are not calculated for breast screening, as they do not form geographical boundaries with resident populations. This applies to St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, and Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health.
Cervical screening in NSW
- In NSW, approximately seven in every 100,000 women each year are diagnosed with cervical cancer.[1]
- It is now one of the most preventable cancers, with cervical screening able to detect pre-cancerous changes that can be monitored and treated before cancer develops.
- The incidence of, and mortality from, cervical cancer has halved since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) in 1991.[2]
Currently, 80% of Australian women with cervical cancer have either never screened or have not returned to screen within the recommended time period.3
- The NSW Cervical Screening Program (CSP) supports the NCSP in promoting two-yearly screening, using a Pap test, for women aged 18 to 69 years.
- Scheduled from 1 December 2017, the change to the NCSP will see women aged 25 to 74 years invited to undertake a primary human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years. Until this time, women should continue to participate in the current two-yearly Pap test program.
- Continued education and awareness programs are being used to better inform and engage women who have either never screened or do not regularly screen. Women are more likely to undertake cervical screening if their general practitioner reminds them.[4]
- There has been a decline in cervical screening participation in 13 of the 15 local health districts (LHDs) in NSW.
- 8,655 fewer 20 to 69-year-old women were screened for cervical abnormalities in NSW in the 2014/15 financial year (1,198,754), compared with the previous financial year (1,207,409).[5]
- The decline in cervical screening participation may be partially attributable to women delaying their screen until the introduction of the new test. Women should be encouraged to continue to undertake two-yearly Pap tests.
- Younger women are less likely to undertake cervical screening. It is important for health professionals to encourage women to continue cervical screening even after they have received the HPV vaccination.
- More than 85% of cervical screening across NSW is done by general practitioners. Gynaecologists perform between 10 and 20% of cervical screens in Sydney metropolitan areas; while in Far West LHD, women’s health nurses represent a substantial portion of the primary health workforce and perform almost a quarter of screens.
- The five-year cervical screening participation rate for NSW women aged 20–69 (2011–2015) is 82.9%.
References:
- Cancer Institute NSW. Cervical Screening in New South Wales. Annual statistical report 2012–2013. Sydney; March 2015.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cervical Screening in Australia 2013–14. Canberra: AIHW: s.n., 2016. Cancer Series no.97 Cat. no. CAN 95.
- Cancer Institute NSW. Population analysis of cervical screening in NSW, 2016. Unpublished.
- Emery J, Shaw K, Williams B, Mazza D, Fallon-Ferguson J, Varlow M, Trevena L. The Role of Primary Care in Early Detection and Follow-Up of Cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2013,Vol.11, pp.38-48.
- Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Pap Test Register; 2016.
Notes:
- Figures for Murrumbidgee LHD include Albury LGA.
- Health network and/or speciality network indicators are not calculated for cervical screening, as they do not form geographical boundaries with resident populations. This applies to St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, and Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health.
Bowel screening in NSW
- Bowel cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths in NSW and is a priority focus area of the NSW Cancer Plan.
- In 2012, 100 people per week were diagnosed with bowel cancer and 34 people per week died from bowel cancer in NSW.[1]
- Bowel cancer screening by faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is proven to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality attributable to bowel cancer by more frequently detecting pre-cancerous
Between 2006 and 2008, 65 per cent of people with bowel cancer who were screened were diagnosed with stage 1 or 2 disease, compared with only 45 per cent who were diagnosed as a result of symptoms.[2]
- The FOBT is the gold standard, population screening tool for bowel cancer, followed by colonoscopy after a positive FOBT. Screening by FOBT is recommended every two years from age 50 years in people who have no symptoms.
- Monitoring and reporting bowel cancer screening participation rates demonstrates the effectiveness of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in achieving its aims to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality from bowel cancer. It also allows for the effective development of strategic marketing and recruitment activities to promote the program and ensure its aims are maximised.
- Increasing awareness of the importance of bowel screening to facilitate early diagnosis and improved treatment pathways will significantly enhance outcomes for people diagnosed with bowel cancer.
- Optimising care pathways and establishing priority direct access models for colonoscopy will help to facilitate early and timely access to diagnosis and treatment when it is most effective and economical.
* This indicator reports on recorded GP follow-up consultation only, not olonoscopy.
References:
- Data source: Annual NSW cancer incidence and mortality data set, 2012 (sourced from the NSW Cancer Registry).
- Ananda S, McLauglin S, Chen F et al. Initial impact of Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. MJA 2009;191:378-381.
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Monitoring report 2016. Viewed online: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129555866
Notes:
- Figures for Murrumbidgee LHD include Albury LGA.
- Health network and/or speciality network indicators are not calculated for bowel screening, as they do not form geographical boundaries with resident populations. This applies to St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, and Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health.
Disclaimer:
Formal publication and reporting of National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) data is undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on behalf of the Department of Health. NBCSP data included in this report provided by the Department of Health are not part of the formal publication and reporting process for NBCSP. Prior agreement in writing must be sought from the Department of Health if you wish to publish these data.