Flourish - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 18
Are people
keeping up?
Screening participation
shows there is still room for
improvement.
In Australia, BreastScreen
participation for women aged 50
to 74 was 52% in 2023 to 2024.
Cervical screening participation
was around 78% over the 5.5 years
from January 2020 to June 2025.
Bowel screening participation
remains lower, with 42% of invited
people participating in the most
recent national reporting period.
Awareness is also a challenge. A
Royal College of Pathologists of
Australasia survey found that 42%
of Australians were not aware of
the health checks recommended
for their age group, while 32%
said they were not up to date.
Globally, many people are also
living with undetected risk.
The World Health Organization
estimates that 1.4 billion adults
aged 30 to 79 were living with
hypertension in 2024, and
44% were unaware they had
the condition.
Make it part of your routine
A health check does not need to be
complicated. Start by booking a GP
appointment and asking what checks
are recommended for your age, sex,
family history and risk factors.
Keep a record of your results. Ask
when each test should be repeated.
Set reminders for screening programs.
Encourage family members to stay
up to date too, especially if certain
conditions run in your family.
Regular health checks give you
information, options and the chance
to act early.
Book the check. Know your numbers.
Ask the questions. Follow up on results.
General information only. This article is not a substitute
for personalised medical advice. Speak with your GP or
another quali昀椀ed health professional about which checks
are appropriate for you.
