If Laurie hadn’t taken the free bowel screening test, he wouldn’t be alive today and would have missed out on so many experiences with his family and friends. Cancer screening saved his life, and many more lives can be saved through early detection.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in Victoria. In 2023, 1348 Victorians died from bowel cancer.
“All the wind was taken out of me; I wasn’t expecting it,” Laurie said, remembering the day he received his bowel cancer diagnosis.
Laurie’s doctor highlighted how vital early detection was in saving his life. The cancerous tumour and another pre-cancerous polyp located close to an artery could have spread quickly. However, because they were found early, they were removed during surgery and Laurie was spared further treatment.
In addition to sending Australians aged 50 to 74 a free bowel screening kit every two years, the National Bowel Screening Program has now lowered the eligible screening age. This means Australians aged 45 to 49 can now request for a free bowel screening test kit to be mailed to them.
But for those who remain outside this age-range, the message is one of vigilance - about 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if detected early.
“We’re calling on all Victorians aged 45 to 74 to do the bowel screening test every two years, or if you need further advice to speak with your GP or healthcare professional about the free bowel screening test,” said Kate Broun, Manager Screening and Early Detection.
Online platform Doctors.com.au is another way people can access this important early detection messaging and support. The site is making it easier for people to speak to a GP or another health professional within minutes via phone or video consultation.
It also provides access to several prevention quizzes, allowing people to check for cancer risks, set reminders for essential health-checks, appointments and screening, and notifies of any need to follow up with a doctor for further investigation.
“I completed the doctors.com.au bowel quiz and had to go see a GP immediately. I’m glad I did. I had a colonoscopy and they found 22 polyps,” one user of the bowel cancer check-up quiz said.
Along with knowing your body, it’s also incredibly important to know your family history of bowel cancer, which plays a significant role in your individual risk. This risk is higher if two or more close relatives on the same side of the family had bowel cancer and if they were diagnosed before the age of 55 years.
“Being aware of family history, paying attention to concerning changes in the body and seeing a doctor if you think that something doesn’t feel right is incredibly important. Health professionals want to see you to find cancer early,” Kate added.
With greater awareness of the growing prevalence of bowel cancer it is hoped we can continue to break down barriers and stigma around this disease and spare more Victorians from a life-changing bowel cancer diagnosis.
If you notice any unexplained symptoms or change in your body, don't delay seeing your GP
Take the online bowel quiz at doctors.com.au
You can learn more about early detection on Cancer Council Victoria’s website at www.cancervic.org.au/early_detection.
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