AN alarming number of western Victorians are missing important cancer screening tests according to a new report released on Monday.

In line with a decline right across the state, western Victorians were four times less likely to complete bowel cancer screening tests than those living in eastern and northwestern suburbs of Melbourne.

In 2022 there was an 11 per cent decrease across Victoria in completed bowel screening tests compared to 2021.

The 2022 Victorian Cancer Screening Annual Statistical Report tracked the uptake of screening programs used for the early detection of common cervical, breast, and bowel cancers.

The report used data from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, Breastscreen Victoria and the National Cervical Screening Program and found a decline in all three across the state.

It revealed that just half of eligible Victorians took up the opportunity for breast screening between 2020-2022.

Again, the figures were worse for regional Victorians with people in metropolitan Melbourne being five times more likely to have mammograms.

79 per cent of eligible Victorians aged 25 to 74 had a cervical screening test in 2018-2022.

Health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas said Victoria had some of the best cancer outcomes globally.

“But we know more can be done,” she said.

“Prevention and early detection are the best ways to minimise the risk of cancer.

“We urge all Victorians to undertake regular cancer screening and see a doctor as soon as any symptoms develop for the best chance of survival.”