Stay healthy and strong. Complete a free bowel cancer screening test, every 2 years once you turn 50.
Bowel cancer can develop without any signs or symptoms. It’s important to know that screening can help with early detection, prevention and treatment.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is free for people aged 50-74 who are registered with Medicare.
There are two ways to participate in the program:
- Complete the self-test kit at home. If your address is up to date with Medicare you will receive your free kit in the mail every two years. Your test will be sent to the address registered with Medicare. If you don’t receive the test you can order one online or over the phone by calling 1800 627 701.
- If you haven’t received your kit or have concerns about doing a bowel cancer screening test, talk to your health professional.
Completing a bowel cancer screening test every 2 years can help make sure you stay healthy and strong and continue to enjoy time with family and loved ones.
The test is clean and easy to do. Talk to your health professional who can answer any questions about bowel screening.
When you receive your free test in the mail, it’s important to do it, even if you feel well. Often bowel cancer shows no symptoms, so it is important to do the test to stay healthy and strong. This simple test could save your life.
Why you should do the test
It’s important to undertake regular screening tests to stay healthy and strong.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the risk increases as you get older.
Regular screening can help detect the early signs of bowel cancer. If found early over 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.
Keeping up to date with bowel screening is an important way to stay healthy and strong for our family.
Testing for bowel cancer is simple, private, and free.
How to do the test
Did you know screening for bowel cancer can be done in the privacy of your own home? The test kit comes with instructions on how to complete the test.
The test will look for traces of blood in your poo, which could be an early sign of bowel cancer or another health condition.
If your result comes back positive, it is not a cancer diagnosis. There are lots of reason you could have blood in your poo, and most of these are not related to cancer. Completing the screening test can help you to look after your wellbeing and stay healthy and strong by picking up any little problems before cancer is present.
It’s important to see your local health professional as soon as possible or your doctor so they can discuss your result and get you the right information.
Watch this video to see how to do the test:
How to order a new test
If you’re between the age of 50 and 74, you should receive your test in the mail once you turn 50 and every two years after that.
If you haven’t received your test kit, or you have lost, misplaced or thrown it away – don’t worry, you can order a replacement kit. To order a replacement kit, Order a new test online or contact the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701.
Have a yarn with your health professional
Have a yarn with your GP or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health worker about making a bowel cancer screening test part of your regular check-up. They can give you information about how to do the test and can get the results for you. You will also be sent a copy of your results. They can also answer any questions, including how to get a screening test kit or how to complete it.
Everything you discuss with your doctor is private and confidential – they can’t share your information with anyone unless you ask them to.
Talk to your GP or local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health worker about bowel cancer screening for you and your family
Campaign resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Stay healthy and strong. Complete a free bowel cancer screening test, every 2 years once you turn 50.
The following resources have been developed as part of a targeted campaign to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and stakeholders to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
You can use these resources across your networks to help mob stay healthy and strong.
Advertising assets
Case studies
Stakeholder resources
Templates
- Poster (word or powerpoint)
- Social media (powerpoint)