Bowel cancer

Overseas studies have shown that death from bowel cancer may be reduced by up to 33% through regular Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) screening (with follow-up colonoscopy assessment) in populations selected by age. This evidence has led to the development of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is currently inviting people turning 50, 55 and 65 years of age between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. Therefore eligible people are those born between:

• 1 January 1961 and 31 December 1964 = 50 years of age
• 1 January 1956 and 31 December 1959 = 55 years of age
• 1 January 1946 and 31 December 1949 = 65 years of age

The previous phase (Phase Two) finished 31 December 2010 and invited those born between:

• 1 January 1958 and 31 December 1960 = 50 years of age
• 1 January 1953 and 31 December 1955 = 55 years of age
• 1 January 1943 and 31 December 1945 = 65 years of age

And the phase before that (Phase One) finished 30 June 2008 and inivited those born between:

• 1 May 1951 and 30 June 1953 = 55 years of age
• 1 May 1941 and 30 June 1943 = 65 years of age

Although the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is sending a free Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kit to some Australians, its a far cry from the National Health and Medical Research Councils recommendation to screen everyone over 50 with an FOBT every two years.

For further information:

• How you can find out more about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
• Information kits
• Role of GPs
• Role of Practice
• Duty of care
• Faecal occult blood tests (FOBTs)
• What about those ineligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program?
• What WA is doing to meet the increased colonoscopy demand?