Cancer Care Program

The Cancer Care Program at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services (PAMS) is here to support clients currently going through a cancer diagnosis through treatment planning and care coordination. The program also holds health promotion events throughout our communities to promote the national cancer screening programs.

Cancer screening is an important part of the Cancer Care Program at PAMS so promotion and access to the national cancer screening programs are key activities of the program.

 

Lung Screening:

The National Lung Screening Program is available to all Australians aged 50 – 70 years old with a current or past history of heavy smoking. The GPs at PAMS are equipped to make referrals and can walk you through the eligibility requirements. The Heart of Australia Lung Screening truck visits Newman every 3 months and is equipped to be able to do CT Scans for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, you can see the schedule for the lung screening truck here to see when it’s next in Newman: Timetable - Heart of Australia

 

Cervical Screening:

The National Cervical Screening Program is available to all people with a cervix aged 25 – 74 years old. Participants are able to access a cervical screening test (CST) and can opt to do self-collection or clinician collect, with participants encouraged to do a CST every 5 years. A cervical screening test looks for the presence of HPV, with HPV 16 and 18 being the cause for a majority of cervical cancers it is important that our clients engage in regular screening to ensure early detection is possible. As well as getting accessing a CST, clients at PAMS can also ask to see if their HPV vaccination is up to date and ask for catch up vaccinations if required.

 

Bowel Screening:

The National Bowel Screening Program is available to all Australians aged 45 – 74 years old, who are able to access a bowel screening kit either through mail or at any of our clinics. The bowel screening kit is a simple test that looks for the presence of blood in your faeces (poo), and is recommended to do screening every 2 years. The process involved taking two small samples from two different poos and does need to be kept in the fridge until the sample can be sent via the post. If you are uncomfortable doing the test at home speak with the staff at any of clinics to see what alternative options are available to help you access bowel screening.

 

Breast Screening

The National Breast Screening Program is open to all women aged 40 – 74 and offers women access to a free mammogram to check for changes in the breast tissue. Breast Screening is recommended every 2 years, with permanent clinics based in Perth and the BreastScreening bus coming to Newman every two years. The next visit from the BreastScreening WA bus for Newman is March-April 2027 – dates to be confirmed.

 

Whilst the Cancer Care program largely focuses on promoting the four big national cancer screening programs, our team is here to help all of our clients regardless of the type of cancer that has been diagnosed.

 

What we offer

The Cancer Care Program provides:

  • Cancer awareness and education through community events around major cancer awareness days
  • Support navigating cancer care services in Perth and Port Hedland
  • Assistance accessing community and health support services available to those experiencing cancer
  • Assistance with referrals for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program
  • Access Cervical Screening and understand your HPV Vaccination status
  • Facilitate transport for breast screening services in Newman or in Port Hedland
  • Assistance with understanding how to access Bowel Screening

 

Who can access this service?

This program is available to all PAMS clients with health promotion activities taking place in all communities where possible. The Cancer Care Program team is based in Newman but are able to assist clients at our remote clinics via phone or telehealth options.

 

Where services are provided

  • Newman Clinic
  • Jigalong
  • Punmu
  • Parnngurr
  • Kunawarritji

Service hours

Services are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

 

Funding partner

This program is funded by NACCHO under the Improving First Nations Cancer Outcomes Program.

 

How to access the Cancer Care Program

To find out more or access support, please contact the Newman Clinic on 08 9111 1777 or call one of our Cancer Support Nurses on 0438 808 578. Our team can assist clients in understanding options and navigating cancer-related care.