6 June 2009
New data highlights urgency in bowel cancer screening
Five million Australians missing out on test that could save their lives
New data on bowel cancer screening highlights the urgent need to fully implement screening for all Australians over 50, according to Cancer Council Australia.
An analysis of bowel cancers by Biogrid Australia shows the current screening program, limited to three age groups, has found double the number of bowel cancers at the most curable stage, compared with cancers found after reporting of symptoms.
“This data shows how effective a national screening program can be, yet the program is currently only available to 50, 55 and 65 year-olds,” said Cancer Council Australia CEO Professor Ian Olver. “Five million Australians are missing out on a test that could help save their lives.”
According to the data, 41 per cent of cancers found through the program were at the most curable stage (stage A), compared with just 18 per cent found through testing people reporting symptoms.