JUNE is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and eligible people are urged to take the bowel screening test.
Only two out of every five people in New South Wales who receive the kit, take the test.
If caught early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90 per cent of cases.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program’s test is quick and easy, with those who have done it before almost three times more likely than first-time invitees to do it again.
The test is available to those aged between 45 and 74 years and is the easiest way to detect the early signs of bowel cancer, Australia’s second deadliest cancer.
The risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, but people of all ages can get the disease. Anyone experiencing changes in bowel habits, bleeding, fatigue, anaemia, or unexplained weight loss should see their GP.
People can reduce their risk of bowel cancer by eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, cereals and wholegrains, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active; and by doing the at-home screening test every two years from age 45.
Health Minister Ryan Park said Australia has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world.
“It’s the second biggest cancer killer in New South Wales, with more than 1700 people expected to lose their lives to bowel cancer this year,” Mr Park said.
“We have this free screening test that is quick, easy and very effective in detecting the early stages of bowel cancer but we need more people to take part.
“This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month I encourage everyone eligible to not delay and do the test, for yourself and your family.”
NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien said if caught early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated.
“We know that people who do the test are almost twice as likely to have their cancer detected at the earliest stage, when it’s most treatable,” she said.
“Bowel cancer is not just an old person’s disease. With more and more young people being diagnosed with bowel cancer, I encourage everyone no matter what age to be vigilant for symptoms and see your doctor if there’s any concerns.
“I urge everyone eligible for the screening test not to put it off, it is quick and easy and could save your life.”
People aged 50 to 74 receive free bowel screening tests to the address they have registered with Medicare.
People aged 45 to 49 years need to request their first test kit, and will automatically receive subsequent kits.
The Cancer Institute NSW recently went live with the Bowel Cancer Screening Do the Test advertising campaign to motivate eligible people in NSW to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
The campaign is being delivered across a range of advertising channels, including radio, press, digital and social media.
The campaign is among several Cancer Institute NSW-led initiatives to increase bowel cancer screening rates and to support people on their clinical pathway following a positive test result.
Find out more about bowel cancer screening in NSW at Free Bowel Cancer Screening Test Kit
