Bowel Cancer Screening

Participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is at a higher rate than in previous years according to a report released yesterday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).  From the 1.4 million people aged 50, 55, 60 or 65 invited to screen between July 2013 and June 2014, 36% returned a completed bowel cancer screening kit for analysis, up 2.6% from the previous year.  7.5% of participants registered positive results and were recommended to undergo further investigation, AIHW said, with 68% of those having a colonoscopy and one in 25 of those (748 people) having confirmed or suspected bowel cancer.

Minister for Health Sussan Ley said the fact that 70 per cent of Australians who had previously been screened in the programme returned their kits the second time was particularly encouraging.  However Ley said it remained concerning that only 36 per cent of Australians returned a completed bowel cancer screening kit.  “Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Australia with approximately 80 Australians dying each week.”  “With participation rates up by around three per cent on the previous year, it’s clear the stigma  with bowel cancer was beginning to get through but there was still a long way to go,” Ley said.

Click here to access the full report from the IAHW.

Source: pharmacydaily.com.au, Tuesday 23 June 2015