This reinforces what Ballarat oncologists had been flagging and calling to avoid through lockdowns with concerns people were delaying routine screening or checks for changes amid COVID-19 fears.

Medical appointments have remained a reason to leave the house throughout all restrictions.

An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released on Thursday brings together screening data from national screening programs for breasts, cervical and bowel cancers.

Mammograms in Victoria via Breast Screen Australia dropped from 21,034 in February down to about 13,000 in June. This was after BreastScreen Australia suspended all but emergency services in March and April due to COVID-19 risks. Whereas the same time two years ago, the program was screening about 20,000 women a month.

Cervical screenings were expected to drop this year with the national program changing from two to five-year checks.

Data is only available on a national level and shows a decline in the number of cervical screenings from mid-March and throughout April. This then began to increase to the end of June.

AIHW's report said it was not yet possible to know the impact of the pandemic on these tests, which are usually via general practitioners.

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program tests are delivered and returned via mail but the AIHW report could also not confirm the likely impact of the pandemic on follow-ups to the tests.

Cancer Council Victoria chief executive officer Todd Harper said the AIHW data aligned with an alarming drop in cancer pathology reported by Victorian Cancer Registry earlier this year.

Mr Harper said tighter COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria could mean a slower general health recovery than other states.

"For cervical and breast cancer screening programs, we have seen a greater drop in screening test numbers than the overall national decline. We're concerned this may mean cancers are detected later when there may be fewer treatment options available," Mr Harper said.

Ballarat oncologist Kortnye Smith told The Courier last month it was important people keep up routine checks, like pap smears, moles, colonoscopies and mammograms. Dr Smith said while it was pleasing the COVID-19 threat was starting to diminish, general health also needed to be a priority.

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