Five million Australians missing out on lifesaving test

New data on bowel cancer screening highlights the urgent need to fully implement screening for all Australians over 50, according to Cancer Council Australia.

An analysis of bowel cancers by Biogrid Australia shows the current screening program, limited to three age groups, has found double the number of bowel cancers at the most curable stage, compared with cancers found after reporting of symptoms.

“This data shows how effective a national screening program can be, yet the program is currently only available to 50, 55 and 65 year-olds. Five million Australians are missing out on a test that could help save their lives,” said Cancer Council Australia chief executive officer, Professor Ian Olver.

According to the data, 41% of cancers found through the program were at the most curable stage (stage A), compared with just 18% found through testing people reporting symptoms.

Launching a new Cancer Council campaign – Get Behind Bowel Screening – which calls on the Government to extend screening to all Australians aged 50 and over, Professor Olver said the Biogrid data showed that bowel cancer screening found the majority of bowel cancers early, when treatment had the best chance of success.

“This data supports what we have known for 10 years, faecal occult blood testing is a highly effective population screening tool for bowel cancer,” Professor Olver said.

“However, not only are five million Australians currently missing out, current participants are only offered one-off screening. This is contrary to national health guidelines, which recommend screening at least every two years from the age of 50”.

Professor Olver said that according to conservative estimates, the Government could save the lives of more than 30 Australians each week by expanding the program to include all Australians 50 and over. Further delays in program expansion would lead to “more unnecessary deaths”. Despite recent quality issues associated with some screening kits, Professor Olver urged people not to lose faith in this vital program.

Cancer Council is calling on all Australians to log on to http://www.getbehindbowelscreening.com.au and send an email to pressure the Government to fully implement the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.