Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
At-home bowel screening involves a test that looks for very small amounts of blood in poo that is non-visible to the naked eye in people who do not have any obvious symptoms of bowel cancer.
The at-home bowel screening test is called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT).
The faecal immunochemical test has been selected as the preferred testing method for Bowel Cancer Australia’s BowelScreen Australia Program and the Department of Health’s tax-payer funded National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP).
The faecal immunochemical test involves collecting toilet water or poo samples, placing them on a card or in a container, and mailing them to a pathology laboratory for analysis.
The results are then sent back to you and your GP.
A positive test result means blood in poo has been detected. If blood is detected, you should contact your GP immediately to discuss the result and obtain a referral for further investigation via colonoscopy within 30 days.
The presence of blood in poo may be due to conditions other than bowel cancer, such as medications, polyps, haemorrhoids, or inflammation of the bowel, but the underlying cause of the bleeding needs to be investigated by colonoscopy. During the procedure, any polyps can be identified and removed or a diagnosis of bowel cancer confirmed.
A negative test result means blood in poo has not been detected and it is recommended that you repeat the test every 2 years.
However, this does not mean that you do not have, or can never develop, bowel cancer, since some bowel cancers do not bleed or only bleed on and off. In between times, if you develop any symptoms of bowel cancer, see your GP immediately.
False-negative test results can occur Screening test results may appear to be normal even though bowel cancer is present. A person who receives a false-negative test result (one that shows there is no blood in poo when there really is) may delay seeking medical care.
False-positive test results can occur Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no blood in poo is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is blood in poo when there really isn’t) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by further investigations (such as colonoscopy), which also have risks.
Screening using a faecal immunochemical test is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer. The test can detect blood in poo caused from pre-cancerous polyps or from early stage bowel cancer. The test however does not detect bowel cancer itself.
Almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated, when detected in its earliest stage.
The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) has been selected as the preferred testing method for Bowel Cancer Australia’s BowelScreen Australia Program and the Australian Government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP).
Bowel Cancer Australia launched BowelScreen Australia to provide greater access to bowel cancer screening for those ineligible for the government program.
The Australian Government introduced the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) to reduce the number of deaths from bowel cancer in Australia.