Early detection - Cancer Council Queensland

Early detection

Our early detection programs and activities aim to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer in Queensland. Some cancers can be prevented, either because we know what causes them or we have screening methods that can detect pre-cancerous changes.

For cancers that cannot be prevented, early detection is the best way for prompt treatment and improved health outcomes.

Cancer can often be managed more easily and successfully when it is diagnosed in the early stages. Being aware of your body and what is 'normal' for you and reporting any symptoms to your GP can help to make sure that, if you do have cancer, it is diagnosed as early as possible.

Information on the early detection of cancer.

The information available on this page should not be used as a substitute for advice from a properly qualified medical professional who can advise you about your own individual medical needs. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and is provided for general information purposes only. See our Disclaimer.

In this Section:

Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with 80 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia being skin cancer. Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. What is skin cancer? Skin cancer is a type of cance...
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs mainly in men over 50 years of age and is the most common male cancer in Queensland men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. Prostate cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. This gland is only found in male...
Know your body
Cancer can often be managed more easily when it is diagnosed in the early stages. Being aware of your body and what is 'normal' for you and reporting symptoms to your GP, can help to make sure that, if you do have cancer, it is diagnosed as early as po...
Early detection
Cervical cancer
What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is a malignancy that develops in the cells of the cervix. Like other areas of the body the cervical cells can grow abnormally and form tumours. As a rule cervical cancer normally takes many years to develop...
Cancer screening
Screening for cancer aims to either detect cancer at a very early stage (when treatment may be more effective), or detect changes in cells which, if left untreated, might become cancerous later. In Australia, national screening is available for cancer...
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Queensland and Australia. It is the second highest cause of cancer-related death in Queensland women. The early detection of breast cancer can lead to increased survival rates and improve...
Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third highest cause of cancer-related death in Queensland men and women. Bowel cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Queensland; there are over 2700 new cases of bowel cancer...