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AMC Part 1 screenings
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Screening test ................................................ Should be simple, safe, precise, and validated
[Example: blood pressure measurement for hypertension] |
Screening test acceptability ................................................ Test should be acceptable to the target population
[Example: stool test accepted for bowel cancer screening because it can be done at home] |
Screening test values ................................................ Distribution of test values in target population should be known
[Example: normal and abnormal blood glucose ranges are known] |
Screening cut-off level ................................................ Suitable cut-off level should be defined and agreed
[Example: specific HbA1c level used to classify diabetes risk] |
Screening, effective treatment ................................................ Effective treatment should exist for patients identified
[Example: early breast cancer can be treated with surgery ± radiotherapy/medical therapy] |
Early treatment evidence ................................................ Early treatment should lead to better outcomes
[Example: treating cervical precancer prevents cervical cancer] |
Screening outcome ................................................ Evidence should show improved mortality, morbidity, or quality of life
[Example: bowel cancer screening reduces cancer-related death] |
Screening benefit-harm balance ................................................ Benefits of screening should outweigh harm
[Example: benefit of detecting early cancer should outweigh false positives/anxiety/procedure risks] |
Screening cost balance ................................................ Should be economically balanced against medical care expenditure as a whole
[Example: low-cost stool testing may prevent expensive late cancer treatment] |
Screening consumers ................................................ Should be informed of evidence to make an informed choice about participation
[Example: patient told benefits and risks before mammography screening] |
| Population-based screening programs in Australia ................................................ Currently six programs |
| National Bowel Cancer Screening Program ................................................ One of Australia’s population-based screening programs |
| BreastScreen Australia Program ................................................ One of Australia’s population-based screening programs |
| National Cervical Screening Program ................................................ One of Australia’s population-based screening programs |
| Newborn bloodspot screening ................................................ One of Australia’s population-based screening programs |
| Newborn hearing screening ................................................ One of Australia’s population-based screening programs |
| National Lung Cancer Screening Program ................................................ Commenced in 2025 |
