Screening and early detection saves lives

Wonga Park resident Helen Clapham is living proof that cancer screening saves lives.

Despite feeling healthy and having no symptoms, Helen’s first bowel screening test came back positive, and at the age of 56 she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.

“I thought ‘oh, here we go again!’ It had been 13 years since I was cleared of my breast cancer and I’m lucky that I had great family support all around,” said Helen.

“Without the screening program, who knows what may have happened? Because it was detected through screening, the treatment was successful and now I’m able to enjoy life again.”

Australia has four free national cancer screening programs for bowel, breast, cervical and lung cancer available for eligible people.

Cancer Council Victoria’s Head of Screening, Early Detection and Immunisation, Kate Broun, encourages everyone to keep up-to-date with cancer screening and health checks – it could save your life.

“We are still seeing repercussions from the pandemic of people not keeping up-to-date with their health checks and cancer screening,” said Kate.

“It's so important to take the time to look after yourself and see a healthcare professional if you notice any concerning or new changes to your body. Early detection of cancer saves lives and keeping on top of cancer screening can help find cancer early.”

As a cancer survivor, Helen actively encourages friends and family to prioritise their own cancer screening tests. "I can’t control the whole wide world, but I can try and get more people to do their cancer screening tests – they are an opportunity to get everything checked out,” she said.