On this page, we’re answering some of most common questions we get about the bowel cancer screening test so that you feel confident to do it every two years.
Screening is easy, completely free and you can do the test at home in just a few minutes.
Why is there a bowel cancer screening program?
The purpose of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is to reduce illness and deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. All Australians aged 45 to 74 are eligible to do the test and can request a free kit.
Bowel cancer screening is free and it’s easy to do at home. It only takes a few minutes of your time, and you don’t need to see a doctor to do the test.
How do I get my bowel cancer screening kit?
If you’re aged 45 to 49 you need to request your first kit. Once you’ve received your first kit you will automatically be sent one every two years.
For those aged 50 to 74 it will be sent to the address listed on your Medicare account. If you received a kit but it is lost or damaged, you can always request a new one.
What are the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer can develop without signs or symptoms, that’s why it is important to test regularly. The bowel cancer screening test is designed for people who don’t have symptoms.
Others may experience symptoms which vary from person to person. Some people might just not feel quite right, or you may have unexplained tiredness or weight loss. Others may have ongoing stomach pains, or severe constipation.
If you notice persistent changes in how often you need to go to the loo, or that your poo is looser, or there’s blood in your poo or in the toilet bowl, you should book an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Do I still need to do the bowel cancer screening test even if I don’t have signs and symptoms?
Yes, the test is also designed to detect signs of bowel cancer before you notice any symptoms and the earlier it’s found, the better the treatment outcome. If you’re aged 45 to 74 you should do the bowel cancer screening test every two years, even if you feel healthy and you eat a healthy diet. Bowel cancer can develop without any signs and symptoms.
More than 90% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if the cancer is found early.
Request a free kit today and return your samples for peace of mind.
I’ve heard a few different names for bowel cancer. What’s the difference between colon cancer, colorectal cancer and bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is cancer in any part of the large bowel, which includes the colon and the rectum. That’s why bowel cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer starts. The bowel cancer screening test can detect signs of cancer anywhere in the large bowel.
What is the difference between a colonoscopy and a stool test?
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that takes about 20-45 minutes, but because you need sedation, you could be at the hospital for 3 to 4 hours. A doctor inserts a flexible tube with a colonoscope camera up into the rectum and colon to look for any abnormal tissue. If a polyp is found, the doctor might take a biopsy to send to pathology for further investigation.
A stool test is non-invasive and designed to detect small traces of blood in your poo. It’s not a diagnostic test for bowel cancer because there could be other reasons for blood in your poo, like pre-cancerous polyps or lesions. If the test comes back positive, your doctor will likely refer you for a colonoscopy to investigate why.
A bowel cancer screening test is also known as an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT). It looks for traces of blood in your poo which are invisible and could be a sign of bowel cancer. It is different from a regular stool test.
What is the immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and how does it work?
Good question! The immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) is a simple at-home stool test that screens for microscopic traces of blood from two tiny poo samples, each smaller than a grain of rice. The test is designed for people who don’t have signs or symptoms of bowel cancer, so if you do have any obvious symptoms, you should see your GP.
You’ll collect two small poo samples - one in each of the test tubes provided in the kit - and then send your samples away for screening in the pre-paid envelope provided. You will receive your results in the mail about two weeks after mailing your samples.
Do I need to do the test if I don’t have a family history of bowel cancer?
Yes, even if you have no family history of bowel cancer and you’re aged 45 to 74, it’s important that you do the bowel cancer screening test every two years. More than 75% of people who develop the disease have no family history of bowel cancer.
Make sure your Medicare details are up to date because your bowel cancer screening kit will be mailed to the address you have registered with Medicare. If you’re aged 50 to 74, the kit will automatically be mailed to you every two years. If you’re aged 45 to 49, you can request a free kit to be mailed to you.
Will my bowel cancer screening test result be private?
Yes, don’t worry. Your personal information is protected by the National Cancer Screening Register Act 2016, the Privacy Act 1988 and strict Australian Government security policies that prevent your information from being used or shared outside of the National Cancer Screening Register.
So why do they collect the information? This is so they can make sure you’re included on the register as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program to:
- remind you to do your test
- assist you to receive follow-up and access to health services
- invite you to do another test in the future
- allow health care providers to assist with clinical decisions, and
- monitor and evaluate the program and its impact on bowel cancer in Australia.
Can I opt out?
Yes. If at any time you decide you no longer wish to participate in the program, you can contact the National Cancer Screening Register at www.ncsr.gov.au or call 1800 627 701 to opt out.
If you opt out, your historical clinical information will be made inaccessible, no further screening tests or results will be collected and you will not receive any further correspondence, including a bowel screening kit, an invitation to screen, a reminder, or follow-up letters.
You can also notify the register at any time if you decide to participate in the program again.
For more information head to the National Cancer Screening Register Privacy Policy.
How long will it take me to do the bowel cancer screening test?
It takes just a few minutes (four simple steps) to do your test. You’ll need to repeat the test, ideally the next day, to get a second sample from a different poo. You can see our step-by-step guide for how to do the test.
How many times do I have to do the test?
You will need two separate poo samples to do your bowel cancer screening test each time, and you should repeat the test every two years. In the kit, you will be sent two test tubes.
On your first visit to the loo, collect a small poo sample in a test tube, put the tube in the zip lock bag provided and store it in the fridge or a cool Eski. The next time you go to the loo, use the other test tube to collect a small sample from a second poo.
Once you have collected two small samples, simply send both test tubes back in the pre-paid envelope provided. The kit will be mailed to you every two years.
If you’re aged 45 to 49, you can request a free kit and once you do, you will be mailed a kit every two years.
I’m worried about doing the test, is it clean and easy to do?
Yes, the test is clean, quick and easy to do. If you have questions about how to do the test, you can watch this short instructional video or call the Test Kit Helpline on 1800 930 998 to find out more.
What happens if my bowel screening test is positive?
It’s important to remember that a positive test result doesn’t mean that you have bowel cancer, it just means that some further investigation is required. If you do receive a positive test result you will need to see your doctor as soon as possible, as they may send you for a colonoscopy to investigate why there was blood in your poo.
I keep forgetting to do the test. Any tips?
We get it, life gets busy. If you’ve been putting your test aside, you’re not alone. Remember the test is quick, clean and easy to do at home. To help you remember to do the test, we suggest you open the envelope and read the instructions on the day your kit arrives, so you know how to do the test.
Once you have the test it’s a good idea to put the kit in the bathroom, above the toilet or on the sink where it’s visible. This way you should remember to do it the next time you go to the loo. Another great tip is to set a reminder on your phone for the two days you plan to do the test.
Help! I’ve misplaced my bowel cancer screening test. Do I have to wait another two years until another test is sent to me?
Don’t worry, it happens. No, you don’t have to wait another two years until another test is sent to you. If you are overdue to do your bowel cancer screening and have misplaced the test that was mailed to you, you can request a new free kit or by calling 1800 627 701. It will be sent to the address you have on your Medicare card, so make sure your details are up to date.
My bowel screening test is damaged or expired. Can I still use it?
No, you can’t use a damaged or expired bowel cancer screening test. You can always order a new kit for free, or by calling 1800 627 701.
How does the bowel cancer screening program save lives?
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, but it’s also highly preventable and treatable when found early. The immunochemical faecal occult blood test was developed by medical researchers who spent four decades researching how to screen for traces of blood invisible to the naked eye, from a tiny sample of poo.
You might look and feel healthy, but that’s exactly why screening matters - bowel cancer can develop without any signs and symptoms.
Bowel cancer waits for no one. It’s important to do the bowel cancer screening test every two years. If you’re aged 50 to 74 look out for your test in the mail. If you’re aged 45 to 49, don’t wait, request your free at-home test today.