The easiest way to prevent bowel cancer

It’s no secret that as you age, keeping an eye on your health becomes even more important.

Our risk of disease increases across the board as we get older, actively taking part in preventative measures is vital.

Thankfully, Australia’s second most common cancer can be detected early due to the government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

It has already delivered millions of free bowel cancer screening kits to Aussies across the country and by 2020, everyone aged 50-74 will receive one every two years, which they can then complete in the privacy of their own home.

The kit supplies everything you need to easily collect a faecal sample and return it by post to a lab for testing.

You can nominate your GP to receive the results as well as having them mailed to your house for you to follow up on if necessary.

If the test detects traces of blood in your faecal matter, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have bowel cancer. Instead, if you receive a positive result you should talk to your GP to determine your next steps.

Screening is a vital part of prevention because the symptoms of bowel cancer are otherwise difficult to detect when the disease is in its early or pre-cancerous stages.

The risk of bowel cancer increases with age, with a significant jump in the likelihood of developing it once you’re aged over 50.

Bowel cancer occurs when cells in the bowel lining grow too quickly, forming a clump known as a polyp. Polyps are usually benign, but can turn cancerous if left unattended.

The bowel cancer screening kits have proven to be second-to-none in terms of detection, preventing up to 500 deaths each year, because up to 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if detected early.

Unfortunately, nearly two-thirds of those who receive their kits in the mail fail to return them for testing.

This means that cells in the bowel could be turning cancerous without them being aware.

Those who are eligible for the screening kit are urged to think of the tests in the same way as they would any other health-related task; just as it’s important to visit your GP for an annual check-up once you’re over the age of 45, regular bowel screens are another way you can take care of yourself.

Diet and lifestyle also play a role in bowel cancer prevention, with experts recommending a diet high in fibre to help ward off the disease. Meanwhile, smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are discouraged as these can also increase the risk of bowel cancer.

The government has committed to helping Aussies avoid this insidious disease, and is encouraging everyone to undertake one simple act that could save their life: Use the bowel cancer screening test kit when it arrives in the mail and send it back, before it’s too late.

Have you received your National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kit? Did you return your kit for testing?

If you have any questions, or need to request a new kit, please call the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program on 1800 11 88 68.