Take the test to detect cancer

The free bowel screening test can save lives, but more Victorians need to participate with data showing declines in participation.

So says Cancer Council Victoria which has launched its latest lifesaving campaign urging all eligible Victorians aged 50-74 to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, following new data which shows the percentage of eligible Victorians who have completed this free bowel screening test has declined.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), fewer than half (43.9 per cent) of eligible Victorians aged 50-74 participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in 2020-2021.

This is a decline from the 46.5 per cent participation rate achieved in the 2019- 2020 reporting period.

This decline in bowel screening coincides with concerning data from the Victorian Cancer Registry that reported 3800 fewer cancer diagnoses than what was expected in Victoria over 2020 and 2021, with the greatest decline in missed cancer diagnoses occurring in bowel cancer (846).

The Victorian Cancer Registry attributes the missing cancer diagnoses to the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted the number of Victorians coming forward for cancer screening, testing and subsequent diagnosis.

Cancer Council Victoria CEO Mr Todd Harper AM said it is critical that people aged 50-74 participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

 In 2021, 1281 Victorians died from bowel cancer, and over 3713 people were diagnosed.

If participation in bowel screening continues to decline, the number of deaths could increase due to diagnosis of bowel cancer at a later stage,  Mr Harper said.

 However, over 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if found early. Doing your bowel screening test will find signs of bowel cancer before you notice any symptoms,  Mr Harper said.

To address these concerning figures and increase bowel screening participation, Cancer Council Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, launched a new state-wide campaign featuring the inspiring story of Laurie Cronin whose life was saved by doing the free bowel screening test.

Father of two Laurie was only 52, didn t have any symptoms and felt fine when the bowel screening test came in the mail in 2021, so he ignored it and put it away until his wife strongly encouraged him to make time for it.

To his surprise, his test results came back positive, and after further testing, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

 I would have been dead by now if I hadn t done the test, the cancer could have spread quickly based on where it was located and there would have been nothing the doctors could have done for me,  he said.

Laurie s latest check-up in June 2023 shows he is cancer free and he is encouraging all Victorians aged 50-74 to do their bowel screening test through Cancer Council Victoria s latest campaign.

 I urge everyone to do their bowel screening test as soon as they get it. If you ve lost your test or it s expired, order a new one and do it. Do not risk it, it saved my life, and it could save yours too,  Laurie said.

"I look back on everything I have been able to do because I did the test, including seeing my daughter graduate, celebrating 30 years of marriage with my wife, taking a road trip with my son, going fishing and watching footy with my mates. I can t believe I could have missed all this if I hadn t done the test,  he said.

Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the government was proud to support the campaign..

 By doing this test, you are helping to ensure you are here for your families, friends and yourself,  Minister Thomas said.

 Bowel cancer is more common as we get older and can affect anyone. I hope Victorians who see this campaign and hear Laurie's story, will be inspired to do their bowel screening test and not to risk their health,  Minister Thomas said.

Cancer Council Victoria s state-wide Bowel Screening Campaign is on air from September to November and calls for all eligible Victorians aged 50-74 to not take the risk with their health and complete their bowel screening test when it arrives in the mail.

 Our message to everyone aged 50-74 is that this simple free screening test, done at home, can save your life, just like it did for Laurie. Find your kit or order a replacement, open it and take it to the bathroom so that its ready to do. It is also important to remind those people around you aged 50-74 to do the bowel screening test,  Mr Harper said.

To learn more about bowel screening or to reorder a replacement test kit, head to cancervic.org.au/bowel.