Home and Away star Lynne McGranger’s new role promoting lifesaving health screening

Iconic Home and Away star Lynne McGranger has embarked on a mission that could potentially save countless lives across Australia.

The beloved actress, who has captured the hearts of viewers for decades with her role as Irene Roberts, is now using her influence to encourage Australians over the age of 50 to take a crucial step in their health journey, participating in bowel cancer screening tests.

The Australian Government offers free screening kits to more than 6 million Australians each year through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. But alarmingly only four in 10 complete the test.

Despite this low participation rate, in a recent survey conducted for the Australian Government and Cancer Council, nine out of 10 people, aged 50 years or older in the survey said they took their health seriously, and four out of five knew that bowel cancer is one of the top three cancers leading to death in Australia.

Almost one-quarter of the survey respondents (23 per cent) said they were much more likely to prioritise their health leading up to a milestone in their lives.

In an effort to encourage a greater rate of participation, McGranger has joined forces with the Cancer Council to promote the potential life-saving benefits of the screening.

“Like many others, I delayed taking the national bowel cancer screening test,” she said.

“I took it for the first time last year, and it was such a weight off my shoulders to know I’d done something so easy to contribute positively to my health.

“My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. There are still so many milestones I want to enjoy – taking the test is one way to make sure I don’t miss any of them, like my daughter’s wedding this week.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler stressed that “doing the test as soon as you get it could save your life”.

“Raising the participation rate to 60 per cent would save 84,000 lives by 2040,” he said.

“I encourage everyone aged 50 to 74 to do their screening too.

“Please put the test somewhere visible like the bathroom as a reminder.”

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Tanya Buchanan also spoke of the importance of preventative screening, claiming that “we want Australians to continue to enjoy life to the fullest after they turn 50″.

“Staying on top of preventative health screening, including bowel screening, is one of the best ways to be able to enjoy the special milestone moments life has to offer,” Buchanan said.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce death and illness from bowel cancer by detecting the early signs of the disease.

The free test kit includes clear instructions on how to perform the screening which involves collecting 2 tiny stool samples from 2 separate bowel movements.