Almost 20 years ago, Aunty Jill faced one of the biggest challenges of her life when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She remembers the shock clearly:
I had no idea anything was wrong until I got that diagnosis. It was frightening - my whole world stopped in that moment. I thought about my family, my community, and whether I’d get the chance to see my grandkids grow up."
After undergoing treatment and surgery, she made a full recovery. Looking back, she knows how important early detection is:
If bowel cancer is found early, treatment can work. I was lucky - but I don’t want others to go through what I did. That little test that comes in the mail, it can save your life."
Today, Aunty Jill encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 45 to 74 to use the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kit:
The test is free, simple, private, and you can do it at home. It only takes a few minutes. Don’t put it aside - do it for yourself, for your family, and for our community. We need our mob strong and healthy."
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but if found early, more than 90% of cases can be successfully treated. By taking the test when it arrives in the mail, we can look after ourselves and each other.
If you’re between 45 and 49, you can order your free kit. All it takes is to fill out a form via indigenousbowelscreen.com.au, call 1800 627 701, or ask your health worker.
If you are between 50 - 74, a kit is mailed directly to you every two years. Make sure your address is up to date with Medicare, you can do this via your myGov account under the Medicare section, use the Medicare Express Plus mobile app or call Medicare general enquiries line on 132 011.
For more information on the Bowel Screening kit, yarn with your health worker, visit www.indigenousbowelscreen.com.au or call 1800 627 701.