Bowel cancer screening campaign relaunched

A STATEWIDE bowel cancer screening campaign has been relaunched, this time with an increased focus on younger Victorians as part of a renewed push for preventative health measures.

It is estimated only 11 per cent of Victorians aged 45 to 49 have ordered a free bowel screening test kit in the first year of expanded access, underscoring the need to encourage uptake among younger Victorians.

In July 2024, the age eligibility for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was lowered to allow people aged 45 to 49 to request a free bowel screening test kit in the mail.

In 2024, 3,780 Victorians were diagnosed with bowel cancer and 1,269 people died from it, making bowel cancer the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Victoria. However, if detected early, more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated.

Cancer Council Victoria’s head of screening, early detection and immunisation, Kate Broun, urged eligible Victorians, especially those aged 45 to 49, to prioritise bowel screening.

“Doing the bowel screening test every two years when you’re due can help detect bowel cancer early and before symptoms appear. We know that early detection of cancer saves lives, and this free and easy test is one of the best ways to protect yourself from bowel cancer,” she said.

“Extending bowel cancer screening to people aged 45 to 49 presents a crucial opportunity to detect bowel cancer earlier when it’s easier to treat.

“I urge anyone aged 45 to 49 to order this free lifesaving test today and complete it as soon as it arrives.”

The reaunched campaign features the inspiring story of father of two Laurie Cronin, whose life was saved by doing the free bowel screening test.

Thanks to this awareness raising campaign in 2023, the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer have estimated 25,080 additional Victorians were inspired to complete and return a bowel screening test.

Modelling by the University of Sydney and the Daffodil Centre showed this campaign will help save the lives of 115 people by finding early signs of cancer before symptoms appear and through treatment of precancerous lesions.

Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, said preventative health campaigns were essential for promoting cancer screening and raising awareness of early detection.

“Prevention and early detection are the best ways to minimise the risk of cancer which is why we’re urging Victorians aged 45 to 74 to use the free bowel screening test kit every two years.

“We’re backing Cancer Council Victoria to help raise awareness of this life-saving test available to use at home at no cost – so we can reduce the rates of bowel cancer in Victoria.”

A campaign has also been designed to connect with Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

People aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel screening kit through the National Cancer Screening Register, while people aged 50 to 74 receive the bowel screening kit in the mail every two years.

For more information, head to cancervic.org.au/bowel

To request a bowel screening test kit, head to ncsr.gov.au/boweltest or phone 1800 627 701.