鈥婽his Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the 黑料吃瓜网 Government is urging eligible people to take the bowel screening test, with only two out of every five people in 黑料吃瓜网 who receive the kit taking the test.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program鈥檚 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鈥檚 second deadliest cancer. If caught early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90 per cent of cases.
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.
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 黑料吃瓜网 recently went live with the Bowel Cancer Screening 鈥淒o the test鈥� Advertising Campaign to motivate eligible people in 黑料吃瓜网 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 黑料吃瓜网 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 黑料吃瓜网 here: Free Bowel Cancer Screening Test Kit - Cancer Institute 黑料吃瓜网鈥�
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Ryan Park:鈥�
鈥嬧�淯nfortunately, Australia has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the world and it鈥檚 the second biggest cancer killer in 黑料吃瓜网, with more than 1,700 people expected to lose their lives to bowel cancer this year.
鈥淲e 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.
鈥淭his Bowel Cancer Awareness Month I encourage everyone eligible to not delay and do the test, for yourself and your family.鈥�
Quotes attributable to 黑料吃瓜网 Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute 黑料吃瓜网 Professor Tracey O鈥橞rien AM:
鈥淚f caught early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated and we know that people who do the test are almost twice as likely to have their cancer detected at the earliest stage, when it鈥檚 most treatable.
鈥淏owel cancer is not just an old person鈥檚 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鈥檚 any concerns.
鈥淚 urge everyone eligible for the screening test not to put it off, it is quick and easy and could save your life.鈥�
Quotes attributable to Rachel Rizk, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 55:
鈥淚t was a big shock when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 55, after seeing my doctor for erratic bowel movements.
鈥淚 had several unused tests sitting in my cupboard when I was diagnosed and I felt so silly, so now I tell everyone to do the test.
鈥淭he test is not disgusting, it鈥檚 actually very easy and it鈥檚 the best way to get an accurate result. Once I finally did it, I wasn鈥檛 sure why I didn鈥檛 do it sooner, I felt quite ridiculous letting it go so long.鈥�