Screening for bowel cancer saves lives. The second largest cause of cancer death in Australia is bowel cancer, the third most prevalent cancer among the population. People 50 years of age and older have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer and bowel cancer can develop without showing any symptoms. Bowel cancer, however, can be successfully treated if found early.
“Bowel cancer screening in adults aged 50 to 74 without symptoms aids in the early detection of the disease”
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
The Commonwealth Government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides free test kits to men and women aged 50 to 74 in order to check for early signs of colon cancer. Beginning in 2020, all eligible Australians 50 to 74 years old will receive invitations to screenings. Up to 500 lives could be spared yearly, and the effects of bowel cancer on Australians and their families could be significantly reduced.
As part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, if you are 50 years old or older you will receive a free FOBT kit and pathology to screen for the test. The kits typically arrive within six months after the eligible person’s birthday. Simply adhere to the directions and mail the finished test in the accompanying envelope.
If blood is detected in your screening test, your doctor is likely to recommend general tests, which may include a physical examination, a blood test, a colonoscopy and a biopsy.
You can obtain your blood test at a pathology collection facility, and the results will assist your doctor in assessing your general health and looking for signs of colon cancer, such as anaemia.
Treatment
Treatment for early and locally advanced bowel cancer will depend on the type of bowel cancer you have. This is because colon cancer and rectal cancer are treated differently.
Your medical team will recommend a treatment based on the outcome, the location of the cancer, where cancer has spread, your general health and your preferences.
Surgery is the most frequent form of treatment for bowel cancer. During surgery, the goal is to remove as much disease and adjacent lymph nodes as feasible. You might therefore also require chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
“Bowel cancer screening saves lives. And screening is one of the most effective ways to detect early signs of bowel cancer. When found early, most bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated”
