04/02/2026
Today is World Cancer Day. We’re honouring every Tasmanian affected by cancer and celebrating the dedicated staff who support individuals, families, and communities across our state.
👩🏻⚕️ Dr Ginny Baird is a Breast Physician at BreastScreen Tasmania, Royal Hobart Hospital, and a General Practitioner.
Five years ago, after assisting breast surgeons in theatre, and driven by her passion for women’s health, Ginny decided to specialise as a breast physician.
At BreastScreen Tasmania, Ginny reviews and reports on screening mammograms to detect breast cancers as early as possible.
She also works closely with radiologists to assess clients who are called back after an abnormal screening result.
As a GP, Ginny plays a vital role in preventive health, ensuring her patients stay up to date with breast, bowel, and cervical cancer screening, and encouraging them to take part in Tasmania’s free screening programs.
Recently, she’s also been talking with patients about smoking history and the benefits of lung cancer screening.
❗Why screening matters:
“Cancer screening programs are for patients who have no obvious signs or symptoms of disease,” Ginny explains.
“Early detection means treatment can begin sooner, is often more effective, and may require fewer interventions.”
✅ Tasmania leads the nation in screening participation:
– 78.3% of eligible people take part in cervical screening
– 57.4% participate in breast cancer screening
– 47% complete bowel cancer screening
These are strong results—and we can do better.
🩷 A message from Dr Ginny: “Let’s encourage our friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues to participate in cancer screening so that we can improve health outcomes for more Tasmanians. Screening—just do it!”
Are you up to date with cancer screening?
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program:
📬 All Australians are sent their first bowel cancer testing kit within 6 months of their 50th birthday, then every two years after. Eligible people aged 45 to 49 can now request their first bowel cancer screening kit to be mailed to them.
BreastScreen Australia Program:
🌸 Eligible Tasmanians aged over 40 years can have FREE screening mammograms at BreastScreen Tasmania locations all around the state.
The National Cervical Screening Program:
👩⚕️ Women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 74 are invited to have a cervical screening test with their healthcare provider every 5 years, with the test covered by Medicare.
❓ To find out more about these programs, please visit: 🖥️ www.health.tas.gov.au/cancer-screening or contact us by email: 📧 canscreenpeu@ths.tas.gov.au
🫁 The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is for those at high risk for lung cancer.
To be eligible, you must be aged 50 to 70, have a smoking history, and have no symptoms of lung cancer.
The screening involves a free, low-dose CT scan of your chest, to look for signs of lung cancer.
🩺 GPs can provide a referral to the screening program.
☎️ The Lung Cancer Screening Helpline is a free service to talk to a nurse for information about the program. It is for people seeking support, and healthcare professionals. Call the helpline on 1800 654 301 (and choose Option 2).
