Call for more to do bowel cancer tests

West Australians are being urged not to “die of embarrassment” after figures showed that just over one-third of people eligible for a free national bowel cancer screening program took it up.

Cancer Council WA’s Director of Education and Research Terry Slevin said a “modest increase” from 33.4 per cent to 36 per cent of Australians participating in the program was a step in the right direction but more effort was required.

He said men in particular had a poor response rate.

“This is despite the fact that men are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from bowel cancer,” Mr Slevin said.

“We also need to ensure those who record a positive test are followed up with a colonoscopy.

“The reported rate (of follow-up) of 68 per cent is disturbingly low but this may be due to our system not capturing all those who do undergo a colonoscopy.”

FACT SHEET: Bowel cancer detection

Mr Slevin said bowel cancer screening was the next important item on the agenda for reducing deaths from cancer in Australia.

Up to 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully when detected early.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 36 per cent of 1.4 million people offered a free bowel cancer screen in the year to June last year returned a completed kit. They are offered to people aged 50, 55, 60 and 65.

AIHW spokesman Justin Harvey said the increase in participation was attributable to a second round of invitations for 55 and 60-year-olds, who had higher than average participation rates.

Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said Australia had one of the world’s highest rates of bowel cancer.

“The kit is simple and discreet to use in the privacy of your own home,” she said.

“We need more people completing their testing kits as bowel cancer often has no symptoms and early detection saves lives.”