4839.0 - Patient Experiences in Australia: Summary of Findings, 2010-11  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/11/2011  First Issue
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PATHOLOGY AND IMAGING

Almost half of persons aged 15 years and over in Australia (48%) had a pathology test in the previous 12 months. Women were more likely to have had pathology tests (55% compared with 42% of men) (see Table 3).

Around 5.6 million persons aged 15 years and over (32%) had an imaging test in the previous 12 months. Women were also more likely to have had an imaging test than men (37% and 26% respectively) (see Table 3).



Differences in imaging and pathology testing between men and women in the younger age groups are likely to be due in part to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the use of pap smears and mammography.

Cost was a barrier to some, with 7% of persons who needed an imaging test in the most disadvantaged areas delaying or not getting one because of the cost, compared with 5% in the least disadvantaged areas (see Table 6).