BOWEL cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death in Australia. But if detected early, more than 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.
Bowel screening is one of the most effective ways to detect the early signs of bowel cancer, but unfortunately, only 42.6 per cent of eligible Victorians are participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Australians aged 45-74 are eligible to do a free bowel screening test every two years through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. People aged 50-74 get the bowel screening kit in the mail every two years, while people aged 45-49 can request their first bowel screening kit through the National Cancer Screening Register.
Since 2017, Cancer Council Victoria has led statewide campaigns to encourage Victorians to participate in bowel screening. Our research shows that having a real person’s story at the heart of our campaigns encourages others to do their bowel screening test and can start important conversations between loved ones about the importance of screening. That’s why we’re looking for new individuals to share their bowel screening story in 2025.
Bowel cancer survivor Laurie shared his cancer screening story with us in 2023 as part of a statewide bowel screening awareness campaign. Laurie talked about how doing the bowel screening test saved his life, ensuring he could be around for important everyday moments with family and friends.
Laurie’s story and the 2023 campaign led to more than 25,000 bowel screening tests being completed. It is estimated this will help save an estimated 115 Victorians lives over the next 40 years.
If you have a bowel cancer story, we’d like to hear it. Your story could help raise awareness about the importance of doing bowel screening and encourage others to participate through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Do you want to make a difference and help save lives? Head to cancervic.org.au/screening-story for more information.
To learn more about bowel screening and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, visit cancervic.org.au/bowel.
Kate Broun, Cancer Council Victoria
