Screening and prevention
Principles of screening, the national cancer screening programs and preventive care in general practice.
High-yield points
Wilson and Jungner criteria: important problem, recognisable early stage, acceptable test, effective treatment, cost-effective.
Bowel: free iFOBT kit every 2 years for ages 50-74, and 45-49 on request.
Breast: free mammogram every 2 years, targeted at women 50-74 (40 and over eligible).
Cervical: HPV test every 5 years for ages 25-74, with self-collection an option.
Lung: low-dose CT every 2 years for people 50-70 with at least 30 pack-years who smoke or quit within the past 10 years (started July 2025).
Cardiovascular: absolute CVD risk assessment from age 45 (from 30 for First Nations people).
The RACGP 'Red Book' (Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice) is the reference for what to screen and when.
India vs Australia
Where the answer the AMC marks correct differs from what’s usually taught in Indian MBBS.
| Aspect | India (MBBS)What you learn in MBBS | Australia (AMC)What the exam marks as correct |
|---|---|---|
| Screening model | Mostly opportunistic. | Organised population programs with invitations and registers (National Cancer Screening Register). |
| Cancer programs | Common cancers screened at NCD clinics. | Bowel (iFOBT 45-74), breast (mammogram 50-74), cervical (HPV every 5 years 25-74), lung (high-risk 50-70). |
| Preventive care guide | No single guide. | RACGP 'Red Book' sets ages and intervals. First Nations people get an annual health check and some screening earlier. |
Screening model
India (MBBS)
Mostly opportunistic.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Organised population programs with invitations and registers (National Cancer Screening Register).
Cancer programs
India (MBBS)
Common cancers screened at NCD clinics.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
Bowel (iFOBT 45-74), breast (mammogram 50-74), cervical (HPV every 5 years 25-74), lung (high-risk 50-70).
Preventive care guide
India (MBBS)
No single guide.
Australia (AMC): what the exam expects
RACGP 'Red Book' sets ages and intervals. First Nations people get an annual health check and some screening earlier.
The Australian context
Australia runs organised, population-based screening programs with invitations and registers (e.g. the National Cancer Screening Register), rather than the opportunistic screening typical in India. First Nations people often start some screening earlier.