Bowel cancer screening commitment
The Coalition has made a commitment to complete the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program by 2020.
The Coalition has made a commitment to complete the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program by 2020.
Cancer Council SA chief executive, Professor Brenda Wilson, welcomed the announcement, stating the completion of the screening program rollout by 2020 may prevent about 35,000 bowel death over the next 40 years – an average of 875 deaths a year.
At the moment, only people aged 50, 55, 60, and 65 are invited to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Under the Coalition’s plan, bowel cancer screening will be made available to every Australian aged 50 to 74 every two years.
Professor Wilson said the Coalition’s commitment was the best investment a future Australian government could make to reduce the cancer burden.
“The Coalition should be congratulated for committing to the completion of the rollout of the program, which was introduced back in 2006.”
Professor Wilson said she hoped the Australian Labor Party would also commit to a fully implemented bowel cancer screening program by 2020 during the election campaign.
Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in South Australia accounting for 12.9% of all cancer deaths.
Chances of surviving bowel cancer increase significantly the earlier it is detected – therefore it is important that people are given every possible opportunity to participate in this life saving program.
“Cancer Council would not be able to achieve these great results without the generous support of the community on days such as Daffodil Day which will be held throughout the country tomorrow,” Professor Wilson added.
Access the Cancer Council’s election priorities: www.cancer.org.au
