This World Cancer Day (4 February) Clinical Nurse Consultant for Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program Tania Mattinson is urging people to get their BowelScreen home kit out of the drawer.
“If you receive a BowelScreen home kit in the mail don’t leave it in the drawer, do the test today,” she said.
“The test is free and something you do yourself easily at home. Instructions are clearly given in the pack you will receive, and your results will indicate what action, if any, you need to take.”
Bowel Cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Australia and can develop without any early signs or warnings.
“Some polyps are harmless and will not develop into bowel cancer. Others are precancerous and over time may develop into cancer,” she said.
“But the good news is if detected early, 90% of bowel cancers are treatable. So, grab your home kit out of the drawer and tick it off your to-do list. It could save your life.”
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program tests Australians aged between 50 and 74 every two years. A home test kit is sent to your Medicare-registered address around the time of your eligible birthday.
For more information about the program phone 1800 118 868 or visit https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/cancer-screening/bowel?fbclid=IwAR2hTb0XYdS4d-Z917ckxkQ_aI0iZ_gAs6L-KbIrCQVqmy7X-olCUipKON0
