Bowel screening made simple

Participating in screening is one of the simplest steps you can take to stay healthy.

You may not know that your risk of bowel cancer increases as you get older. If found early, nine out of ten cases of bowel cancer can be successfully treated.

Most people who develop bowel cancer don't have any family history and may not have noticed any symptoms such as visible blood in the toilet, a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss or tiredness. If you do have symptoms at any age, it is important to discuss these with your doctor.

Completing the bowel screening test can help detect changes that could lead to bowel cancer.

Every two years, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program sends a kit in the post to men and women with a medicare card, who are aged 50 to 74. The free, simple test is completed at home. It looks for tiny traces of blood in your poo, which, if found, should be discussed with your doctor.

Unfortunately, six out of ten Australians do not complete their test kit when it comes. Be sure to do yours and encourage your friends and relatives too. It may save their life.

The bowel cancer screening test is quick, clean and simple, and you can do it in the comfort of your own home. It involves taking two tiny poo samples, each smaller than a grain of rice using the collection sticks provided.

Your test kit includes flushable paper liners to keep your poo above the toilet water so you won't need to touch it. The two samples should be taken from two separate bowel movements, preferably no more than a few days apart.

Once you collect a sample, it's important to store it in a cool place. Ideally the fridge, but not the freezer. And don't worry, with the protective packaging provided, there's no risk of contaminating other items in your fridge.

Once you have collected your two samples, post them and the completed paperwork in the reply paid envelope as soon as possible. Wherever possible, try to keep the samples cool and take them to a Post Office within 24 hours. Doing this will help to ensure your result is accurate.

While the whole process might seem unpleasant or embarrassing, it could save your life.

Your test result will be mailed to you and your doctor, if you nominate one, a few weeks after you post your samples. The bowel screening test will show whether or not blood has been found in your samples.