Campaign Hub
Resources for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Campaign
Campaign Summary
In partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health, we’re encouraging Australians aged 50 to 74 to Get2it and participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP).
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. However, we know that 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if caught early.
Cancer Council research tells us that the majority of people who don’t participate in bowel screening understand the importance of screening and want to do it. They’re just busy, forget or simply don’t get around to it!
Our campaign is designed to remind these people to Get2it and do the test, whilst normalising bowel screening for those who refuse or who may not understand the program.
Key messages
Key Facts & Figures
- Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. Tragically, bowel cancer claims the lives of around 100 Australians every week.
- Every year around 15,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in Australia. However, we know that 90% of bowel cancer cases could be successfully treated if caught early.
- The bowel screening test detects blood in poo, which can be a sign of pre-cancerous lesions and cancers in the early stages and often these don’t have any symptoms. That’s why it’s important for Australians to participate in bowel screening, even if they feel healthy.
- Currently only 43.5% of Australians are taking the bowel screening test as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and for men, it is even lower at 41.3%.
- We know that if participation reaches and is sustained at 60%, we could save 84,000 lives by 2040.
- That’s why we’re launching a national campaign in partnership with the Australian Government, calling for Australians to Get2it and do the bowel screening test.
- If you’re 50-74, do the test that is sent to you every 2 years in the mail.
Calls to action
Our campaign features a primary call to action:
- Don’t put off the chance to save your life. Get2it today.
You can also use these secondary calls to action:
- Take the test kit to the bathroom as soon as it arrives, placing it somewhere visible.
- Set a reminder to do the test
- Order a replacement home test kit online
- Visit bowelcancer.org.au for more information
Downloadable Assets
Social Media Content
Social Media Post #1 - Download this asset here.
Did you know that if found early, 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated?
If you’re between the age of 50 and 74, you will be sent a free bowel screening test kit every two years.
Your bowel screening test is a free and easy way to detect the early signs of bowel cancer – don’t put off the chance to save your life.
☎📩 Need help remembering to do your test? Sign up to receive reminders here 👉 bowelcancer.org.au/reminder
Or better yet, Get2It next time you go to the bathroom.
Television Ad
If you require to download our campaign video, please contact us at media@cancer.org.au.
Email Signature
Bowel Screening Website
Research Insights
Download more assets here.
Health Professionals
Webinar Assets
Want to get to the bottom of bowel screening?
Cancer Council, in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health, has developed a three-part webinar series titled ‘Getting to the bottom of bowel screening’ as a part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) campaign.
This educational series will see industry leaders talking to key topics in the bowel screening space, providing valuable insights to GPs and health professionals to help drive participation in the NBCSP.
You can register for each webinar via the below links, or simply sign up to receive the recording if you’re not able to make it on the night.
- Improving NBCSP participation – understanding our audience
- Tuesday 23 August, 8 – 9 PM (AEST)
- Speakers: Associate Professor Sarah Durkin, Dr Belinda Goodwin
- Host: Dr Eleonora Feletto
- Register via Eventbrite here
- Bowel cancer screening – from the GP perspective
- Wednesday 31 August, 8 – 9 PM (AEST)
- Speakers: Professor Jon Emery, Professor Mark Jenkins
- Host: Dr Eleonora Feletto
- Register via Eventbrite here
- Getting to the bottom of colonoscopy use in bowel screening
- Tuesday 6 September, 8 – 9 PM (AEST)
- Speaker: Dr Hooi Ee
- Host: Dr Eleonora Feletto
- Register via Eventbrite here
Webinar assets can be downloaded here.
Social Media Content
Social Media content can be downloaded here.
Did you know that once people start bowel screening, 80% will re-screen when they’re next invited?
You can help identify why patients aren’t screening & overcome these barriers.
Register & order replacement tests online on behalf of your patients. Visit www.bowelcancer.org.au/gp
Newsletter Content
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, but if detected early, more than 90% of cases can be successfully treated.
Unfortunately, only 43.5% of all eligible people aged 50-74 complete the kits sent to them every two years. If we could increase the participation rate to 60%, 84,000 lives could be saved over the next 20 years.
On 20 June, Cancer Council Australia, in partnership with the Australian Government, launched a national bowel cancer screening campaign. The Get2it campaign across TV, radio, out-of-home media and PR, aims to increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP).
The campaign will likely result in a greater number of enquiries to practices about bowel cancer and screening. This presents an important opportunity for GPs and primary care health professionals to endorse the program and support their patients’ participation.
GPs are vital in identifying patients who have never screened or are not up to date with their screening. Research undertaken in 2021 by the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC) identified three types of people who are not participating in bowel screening: Refusers, Intenders and the FOBT Naïve.
Each face specific barriers to participation and GPs and primary care health professionals are critical in responding to these challenges. We know that once people choose to screen, 80% will screen again when next invited so Cancer Council has produced a GP resource which can be used to identify the best approach to support these reluctant or hesitant screeners in choosing to screen, thereby contributing to improving NBCSP participation rates.
Bowel screening saves lives and evidence indicates that encouragement from a health practitioner greatly influences people’s intention to screen. That’s why Cancer Council is asking all GPs and primary care health professionals continue to encourage their patients to Get2it and take part in bowel cancer screening
Please visit www.bowelcancer.org.au/gp for useful resources or more information about the campaign.
Bowel Screening Website
Our health professionals page can be found here.
GP Mailout
Culturally and linguistically diverse audiences
Cancer Council has developed resources with information about bowel cancer screening in several community languages. You can find the resources here.