Web-based assessment tool aids in screening for bowel cancer
A new web based cancer risk assessment tool is battling bowel cancer by identifying who is most likely to develop it and recommending appropriate screening.
The tool, delevoped by the University of Melbourne, will be presented at this week’s Primary Health Care Research (PHRC) Conference in Adelaide.
Dr Jennifer Walker, from the University of Melbourne, says a significant number of Australians would develop colorectal cancer (CRC), and that early detection was one of the best ways to head off the problem.
Many Australians at average risk of bowel cancer are having unnecessary colonoscopies rather than the cheap and effective faecal occult blood test, while others at higher risk weren’t having colonoscopies at all, Dr Walker says.
“About one in 21 Australians is likely to develop CRC during his or her lifetime, with the risk increasing from the age of 40 years and rising sharply and progressively from the age of 50 years,” says Dr Walker.
“Screening for CRC based on risk is one way to increase early detection of premalignant disease and therefore prevent the development of CRC. Appropriate screening is important to ensure the right screening method is used to reduce any harms from over screening with colonoscopy.”
