Print this pageBowel Cancer Screening
An overview of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
The Australian Government, through State and Territory Health Services, is conducting a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program for people who turn 55 or 65 years of age between 1 May 2006 and 30 June 2008.
The screening program will start at different times in each State and Territory with NSW beginning on 14 August 2006.
Eligible people will receive an invitation pack in the mail requesting their participation in the program. The pack will include a letter, a participant details form, an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (FOBT), and an information booklet.
The Australian Government will send each medical practice in NSW an information pack and resources to support GPs in their role in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Why screen for bowel cancer?
- In 2003 bowel cancer ranked as the second most common cancer for both males and females in New South Wales – accounting for 13 per cent of all cancers diagnosed.
- In Australia the lifetime chance of developing bowel cancer before the age of 75 years is around 1 in 17 for men and 1 in 26 for women. This is one of the highest rates in the world.
- Based on current trends 1 in 21 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.
- About 90 people die from bowel cancer each week.
- Survival rates are significantly improved when the disease is detected and treated early. If cancer is detected before it has spread beyond the bowel, the chance of surviving at least five years is very high.
- Clinical trials have demonstrated that regular screening using faecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) can reduce mortality from bowel cancer by 15 to 30 per cent.
More information about the new Bowel Cancer Screening campaign.
Further information is available by contacting:
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Information Line: 1800 118 868
Email: cancer.screening@medicareaustralia.gov.au
Department of Health and Ageing
http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/
National Health and Medical Resource Council (NHMRC)
www.nhmrc.gov.au
