Foreword

The Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC) is pleased to present the Victorian Cancer Screening Statistical Annual Report. This report presents key screening numbers and participation rates for Cervical, Bowel and Breast cancers across Victoria under the workplan of the Victorian Cancer Screening Framework (VCSF).

The Victorian Cancer Screening Framework (VCSF) is a governance and funding model that guides Victoria’s delivery of and investment in cancer screening programs. The VCSF aims to increase equitable cancer screening participation, enhance primary care and workforce education and monitor screening participation, follow-up and outcomes across the screening pathway.

The VCSF partners, ACPCC, Breast Screen Victoria (BSV), the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), Cancer Council Victoria (CCV), the Victorian and Tasmanian Primary Health Network Alliance (VTPHNA) and with support from the Victorian Government strive to improve prevention and early detection of Breast, Bowel and Cervical cancers in Victoria, particularly among priority communities.

While Victoria has some of the best cancer outcomes globally, they are not experienced equally. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians, people living in rural and regional Victoria and/or low socio-economic areas are more likely to be diagnosed with late stage or preventable cancers. The VCSF partners seek to bring together data for monitoring at a population level and for under-screened populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians, and embed evaluation and research in Victoria’s cancer screening.

Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC)

ACPCC is Australia's leading organisation in cervical cancer prevention with over 55 years of expertise in cancer prevention. ACPCC provides services to implement, support, monitor and manage population health programs, including screening and vaccination.

This unique combination of services along with our multi-disciplinary expertise achieves better health outcomes and ultimately saves lives.

ACPCC acknowledges the support from the Department of Health and other key stakeholders in cancer prevention and control throughout Australia in supporting the need for and in the development of this report.

BreastScreen Victoria is a population-based screening program that aims to save lives and reduce the impact of breast cancer through early detection. BreastScreen Victoria's network of services and dedicated staff work as one team to provide high-quality and inclusive care.

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is the peak representative for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. VACCHO in collaboration with key stakeholders lead and support Victoria’s Aboriginal Community to improve cancer screening participation.

Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) leads the development, implementation and evaluation of cancer prevention and control campaigns and programs that address health inequities and enable better outcomes for the entire population in Victoria.”

The Victorian Tasmanian Primary Health Network Alliance provides a platform for the one Tasmanian and six Victorian PHNs. The Alliance enables the PHNs to collectively achieve the best possible outcomes for local communities and organisations through leadership, collaboration, coordination and synergy.

The Department of Health Victoria wants to see a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. An important step toward this future, as outlined in the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-2024, includes increasing data and surveillance to expand and monitor the participation of priority populations in cancer screening.