Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Victoria, with 3780 people diagnosed and 1269 deaths recorded in 2024.
If detected early, more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program lowered age eligibility in 2024, allowing people aged 45 to 49 to request a free bowel screening test kit in the mail.
Shepparton local Justin Rooney said he was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 45.
“I would be going to get tested because you don’t want to go through what I and so many others have to,” Mr Rooney said.
“People don’t take it seriously, they think it won’t happen to them.
“You might feel alright, but I had a slow bleed for years.
He encouraged others to “keep up with tests or go to the doctor to get the ball rolling.”
Cancer Council Victoria’s head of screening, early detection and immunisation Kate Broun said the test kit could help detect bowel cancer before symptoms appeared.
“We know that early detection of cancer saves lives, and this free and easy test is one of the best ways to protect yourself from bowel cancer,” Ms Broun said.
“Extending bowel cancer screening to people aged 45 to 49 presents a crucial opportunity to detect bowel cancer earlier when it’s easier to treat.”
According to the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, in 2023, the Cancer Council’s awareness campaign encouraged an estimated 25,080 additional Victorians to complete and return a bowel screening test.
The campaign, backed by the Victorian Department of Health, will also target culturally and linguistically diverse communities through tailored, in-language information.
Data shows only 24 to 31 per cent of people who speak a language other than English at home participate in screening, compared with 44 to 47 per cent of English speakers.
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said preventative awareness was essential in urging Victorians aged 45 to 74 to use a screening test kit every two years.
“We’re backing Cancer Council Victoria to help raise awareness of this life-saving test available to use at home at no cost – so we can reduce the rates of bowel cancer in Victoria.”
Residents aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel screening kit through the National Cancer Screening Register, while people aged 50 to 74 receive the bowel screening kit in the mail every two years.
To learn more about bowel screening, head to cancervic.org.au/bowel
To request a bowel screening test kit, visit ncsr.gov.au/boweltest or call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701.
