The life-saving health checks Aussies can’t afford to skip in 2025

As we welcome 2025, health experts are urging Australians—particularly those in high-risk age groups—to take charge of their well-being with a proactive approach to cancer screening.

With Australia having one of the highest cancer rates globally, early detection remains key to improving survival outcomes.

With that in mind, health advocates are encouraging people to start the new year with a preventive health check, ensuring they can enjoy their retirement years to the fullest.

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, followed by breast cancer, colorectal (bowel), melanoma and lung cancer with these five cancers accounting for about 60 per cent of all cancers diagnosed.

Projections by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggest that by 2034 the number of cancer cases diagnosed each year could surpass 200,000, with males more likely to be diagnosed than females, accounting for 729 cases in every 100,000 males today, compared to 534 cases per 100,000 females.

With the new year now well and truly here, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is urging all Australians to understand their risk and family history of cancer and visit a GP for a preventative cancer check-up.

PCFA Chief Executive Anne Savage highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, explaining that when cancers are diagnosed in their earliest stage, survival rates improve significantly.

“The toll prostate cancer takes on the lives of everyday Australians is tremendous, with one man newly diagnosed every twenty minutes,” Savage said.

“It’s estimated more than 3,900 Australian men died from prostate cancer in 2024, which is an unacceptable price to pay for a disease that is eminently treatable if detected early.

“If we don’t detect prostate cancer until it has spread outside the prostate, it’s very hard to stop.”

As you step into the new year, prioritising regular screenings can significantly impact your long-term health. Here are the key cancer checks experts recommend:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australia and the second most common cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.

Women are reminded not to forget their yearly breast check by booking a mammogram or ultrasound. A screening mammogram is recommended for all women aged 50 to 74.

Melanoma is more common in Australia than anywhere else in the world, with higher rates of the potentially deadly skin cancer among older Australians due to the impacts of a lifetime of sun exposure without adequate protection.

Any amount of sun damage can increase your risk of skin cancers, including melanoma. Authorities are reminding Australians to protect themselves from the sun this summer and get a skin check.

Bowel Cancer is the second most common cancer among Australian men and women, with symptoms that often go overlooked, such as a change in bowel habits or abdominal pain or bloating.

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a simple test that can be performed at home and looks for hidden traces of blood in a bowel motion. The National Bowel Screening Program is free to all Australians aged 50-74 every two years, with test kits sent directly to your home.

Lung Cancer is Australia’s number one cancer killer and the fifth most common cancer in Australia today, accounting for nine percent of all cancers.

If you’re a smoker, there is no better time than now to quit. Anyone with a history of smoking or a family history of lung cancer should see their GP to learn about their risks and screening options and get a regular health check-up.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.