Bowel Cancer Screening Month
June is Bowel Cancer Screening Month. It’s an opportunity to highlight the need for two-yearly bowel cancer screening for everyone aged 50+.
At the moment, bowel cancer is a big problem.
It’s currently the second leading cause of cancer death in South Australia, claiming over 400 lives each year. While there can be some symptoms, it may develop without them.
But, there is plenty you can do to help South Australians reduce their risk.
Bowel cancer is one of the few cancers for which we have a reliable screening method to detect early stages of cancer or pre-cancerous growths. Up to 90 per cent of bowel cancers are treatable if caught early, and the best way to do that is with the simple but life-saving Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).
People aged 50 and over are regularly sent a free kit in the mail, however 54 per cent of South Australians who receive the kit do not complete it.
By educating and empowering those under your care, you’ll be helping to reduce the stigma of bowel cancer screening, and save countless lives.
What you can do:
1. Order a Bowel Cancer Screening Month pack and make a display
Having a display in your workplace, community centre, or practice will help to start important conversations around bowel cancer screening and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. That conversation might save a life. To order your pack, click here.
2. Book a free bowel cancer information session
Cancer Council SA is able to provide a trained speaker to visit your workplace or community group and speak directly with staff and the community about bowel cancer—including symptoms, screening and how to lower the risk of developing bowel cancer with lifestyle changes.
To book your session, or to learn more about bowel cancer screening, call 13 11 20.