Get ready for BowelScreen Australia

Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in Australia (after lung cancer) and kills over 70 Australians each week. While bowel cancer claims more lives each year than breast or prostate cancer, early detection through screening can vastly improve survival rates.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Bowel Cancer Australia have joined forces to develop

BowelScreen AustraliaTM, a pharmacy based bowel cancer awareness, education and screening program for the Australian community. The program uses a clinically proven, sensitive and reliable immunochemical faecal occult blood test produced by Enterix Australia*.

“We are excited to make this important preventative health program available to the Australian public via the most accessible healthcare provider, the local community pharmacist,” Kos Sclavos, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. 

Annual bowel cancer screening is recommended for Average Risk Patients. These include men and women 50 years and over; who have no symptoms; and no personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps. Patients with symptoms or a personal/family history should be referred to their GP. 

“Early detection of polyps and cancer is key to improvement of survival rates as it is important to find these abnormalities when it is easier to treat and cure,” said Dr Cameron Bell,

Gastroenterologist and Director of Bowel Cancer Australia.

“A positive result from a bowel screening program such as BowelScreen Australia does not confirm the presence of bowel cancer. It indicates the presence of blood that may be invisible to the naked eye. Further investigation, such as a colonoscopy, by a medical specialist is then required,” Dr Bell said.

Patients who have received a screening kit from the Australian Government are encouraged to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. This only applies to people who turn 50, 55 or 65 before 31 December 2010 and does not include provision for annual rescreening. Patients who are ineligible for the Government program may purchase a BowelScreen Australia test kit for annual screening from their local pharmacy.

BowelScreen Australia will be launched nationally in early June.

Red apple day for Bowel Cancer is 9 June.

QHS Corporate Health is able to offer you Bowel Screening clinics including the Bowel Screening test kit.