Cancer tests: How and why to get tested

Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia, with close to one in 2 people receiving a diagnosis in their lifetimes.¹ So, it's natural to feel concerned if symptoms arise.

Here, we look at some of the most common cancer screening methods, and how they might apply to you.

You may have asked yourself: Does a blood test pick up cancer?

If you suspect any symptoms of cancer, your GP will assess your symptoms and may order a blood test for cancer markers.

This blood test may include:

• a full blood count (testing for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet levels)
• a test for liver and kidney function
• a cancer tumour markers blood test.²

However, a blood test alone is typically not enough to diagnose cancer, and your GP may order further tests and refer you on to a specialist.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. But survival rates are high.³

So, how do you test for prostate cancer?

Unfortunately, most people don't experience symptoms in the early phases. The main risk factors of prostate cancer include age (your risk increases after 50) and a family history of the cancer. Based on this, your doctor may recommend a prostate cancer screening test.

If your GP suspects prostate cancer, they may order a prostate-specific antigen test, also known as a PSA cancer test. If your PSA levels are high, your doctor may refer you to a urologist for further testing. The specialist may then use the following prostate cancer test methods:

• a physical inspection of your prostate
• an MRI of your prostate
• a biopsy.⁴

Your doctor may also order a urine test.⁵

As Australia's second most common cancer, breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 women in their lifetimes.⁶

Key symptoms of breast cancer include new lumps, thickening in the breast, sore nipples and changes in breast shape. Risk factors include your age, a family history of breast cancer and other genetic factors.

As well as assessing your risk profile, your doctor may perform a physical examination of your breasts and the lymph nodes above your collar bone and above your arms. Your GP or a specialist may also order:

• a mammogram
• an ultrasound
• a biopsy
• a CT or MRI scan.⁶

If breast cancer runs in the family, genetic testing for breast cancer may be worth exploring. Talk to your doctor about a breast cancer hereditary test (DNA testing for the breast cancer gene), and if it's right for you.⁷

As you get older, it's important to monitor your breasts, even if you don't experience any symptoms. This includes performing regular self-checks at home. Women and people who are transgender or gender diverse aged over 40 can also access a free mammogram every 2 years through BreastScreen Australia.⁸

Skin cancer accounts for roughly 80% of newly diagnosed cancers in Australia, among the highest rates in the world.⁹

There are 3 main types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma, which is the deadliest of the 3. Over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the most common cause of skin cancer, but genetics, age and family history play a big role too.

Thankfully, if detected and treated early enough, there's more than a 95% chance that you will survive skin cancer.¹⁰

A skin check is the first, crucial skin cancer test. This can be performed by you, a doctor or a specialist skin cancer screening service. The main things to look out for include:

• new spots on your skin
• crusty sores that haven't healed
• spots that have changed in size or appearance
• small red, pale or pearly lumps.¹¹

After a physical examination, your doctor may need to take a biopsy of any suspicious spots. These are usually quick, simple procedures and, in some cases, the biopsy might remove the skin cancer altogether.¹²

In Australia, around one in 20 people will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetimes.¹³

Also known as colorectal cancer, the disease mostly affects older people. However, other risk factors include having a diet that's low in fibre and high in red and processed meat, being overweight or obese, consuming high amounts of alcohol and smoking.¹³

Your doctor may assess you for bowel cancer based on symptoms such as changes in your bowel habits and appearance, blood in your stool and abdominal pain.

From there, you may be required to undergo bowel cancer testing. A bowel cancer test may include:

• a blood test
• an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) (taking a sample of your stool)
• a colonoscopy
• a flexible sigmoidoscopy (which examines the rectum)
• an MRI, CT or PET scan.¹³

If you're aged over 45, you may be eligible to receive a free, at-home bowel cancer test kit every 2 years through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.¹⁴

In Australia, lung cancer is the number-one cause of cancer-related death. Key risk factors include smoking (including second-hand smoke), or regular exposure to harmful substances like asbestos, radon or diesel fumes.¹⁵

So, how do you get tested for lung cancer?

After discussing symptoms with your doctor (which may include things like shortness of breath, coughing up blood, changes in your voice or chest pains) they may recommend one or more tests.

A lung cancer test might include a:

• chest X-ray
• CT scan
• PET scan cancer test
• spirometry (lung function test)
• biopsy
• sputum cytology (which examines your mucus).¹⁵

From July 2025, eligible high-risk people not experiencing lung cancer symptoms may be able to access a low-dose CT scan for early detection through the National Lung Cancer Screening Program.¹⁶

Cervical cancer affects the lower part of the uterus (the cervix).

The most effective cervical cancer test in Australia is via a cervical screening test, which looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes almost all cervical cancers.

During the screening, you can either have a sample collected by a healthcare professional, who will take a swab of your cervix, or on your own using a self-administered swab.¹⁷

The National Cervical Screening Program offers the opportunity for people aged between 25 and 74 to undergo a cervical screening test every 5 years.¹⁸

However, you may need to check in with your doctor between screenings if symptoms appear. These include vaginal bleeding between periods, unusual menstrual bleeding, pain in your pelvis, bleeding after intercourse or painful intercourse.

As well as a screening, your doctor may order a colposcopy with biopsy if cervical cancer is suspected. If precancerous changes are detected, you may then need a procedure called a large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).¹⁹

• physical examination for lymph node swelling
• biopsy of the swollen lymph node
• blood test looking at liver and kidney function (it's important to note that there is no direct blood test for lymphoma cancer)
• bone marrow biopsy
• CT, PET or MRI scan
• ultrasound
• spinal tap (lumbar puncture).²⁰

• assessment of symptoms, including irregular urine, side or lower back pains, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, fever or sudden weight loss
• blood and urine test (it's important to note that these cannot directly detect kidney cancer)
• ultrasound
• chest X-ray
• CT or MRI scan
• radioisotope bone scan
• biopsy.²¹

• assessment of symptoms, including abdominal pain, appetite and weight loss, nausea, vomiting, jaundice and changes in bowel habits
• blood test
• ultrasound
• CT, MRI or PET scan
• biopsy.²²

• assessment of symptoms, which might include an unusual lump in your neck or throat, breathing or swallowing issues, swollen lymph glands in your neck or changes in your voice
• blood test looking at relevant hormone levels
• ultrasound
• biopsy
• radioisotope scan
• CT, MRI or PET scan.²³

• assessment of symptoms, such as unusual periods or vaginal bleeding between periods
• physical examination of your uterus (your doctor may use gloved fingers or an instrument known as a speculum)
• ultrasound
• biopsy
• hysteroscopy
• blood and urine tests
• X-ray
• CT, MRI or PET scan.²⁴

• assessment of symptoms, such as blood in your urine plus other urine and bladder issues
• physical examination of your bladder (your doctor may inspect your bladder with a gloved finger via the vagina or rectum)
• blood test
• urine test
• CT scan
• ultrasound
• cystoscopy
• biopsy.²⁵

• assessment of symptoms, which could include weakness and fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain or swelling, appetite and weight loss or pain in your right shoulder
• blood test
• ultrasound
• CT, MRI or PET scan
• biopsy.²⁶

• assessment of symptoms, including abdominal pain, heartburn or indigestion, nausea, vomiting or appetite and weight issues
• endoscopy (also known as a gastroscopy)
• biopsy
• endoscopic ultrasound.²⁷

• assessment of symptoms, which may include fatigue and anaemia, repeated infections (such as mouth sores) or increased bruising and bleeding
• blood test
• bone marrow biopsy
• chest X-ray
• spinal tap (lumbar puncture).²⁸

• assessment of symptoms, which can include bloating, appetite issues, urination issues or pain in your back, abdomen or pelvis
• physical examination of your abdomen and vagina
• blood test
• pelvic ultrasound
• CT or PET scan
• colonoscopy (to rule out a bowel problem).²⁹

• assessment of symptoms, which may include a lump or painless swelling in a testicle, changes in the shape or size of a testicle or a feeling of heaviness in your scrotum
• physical examination of your testicles (you can also self-check at home)
• ultrasound
• blood test
• surgery (unlike other cancers, a biopsy cannot be performed for testicular cancer, as the procedure may spread the potential cancer to other parts of the body. The entire testicle may therefore be removed if cancer is suspected).³⁰

These include a range of different cancers that begin in the head or neck area.

• assessment of symptoms as they relate to a specific area, such as pain or swelling in your throat or unusual sores in your mouth
• physical examination of specific affected areas
• nasendoscopy (which examines your nose and throat via a thin, flexible tube camera)
• micro-laryngoscopy (which examines your voice box and throat using a tubed camera)
• biopsy
• X-ray
• CT, MRI or PET-CT scan
• ultrasound.³¹

Cancer screening is one of the best ways to detect the early signs of cancer. If you’re worried about symptoms or you’re due for a routine test, book in to see your doctor sooner rather than later.