Cancer Council is continuing its mission to beat the stigma, and celebrating that 52.4 per cent of eligible Wangaratta and Benalla residents have participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
That is according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for 2018-19.
Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper said bowel cancer was Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, claiming the lives of around 100 Australians each week.
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“Thankfully however, we have a screening test that can detect these cancers early, often before symptoms arise,” Mr Harper said.
The promising participation rates in Wangaratta and Benalla come as new Cancer Council data shows that the 2019 Australian Government-funded National Bowel Screening Campaign was responsible for a whopping 93,000 people nationally doing these tests.
“The extra 93,000 tests completed nationally equates to 860 cancers being prevented and 470 lives saved over the next 50 years,” Mr Harper said.
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“Wangaratta and Benalla residents who have completed their bowel screening test deserve a pat on the back.
“And we would encourage everyone to talk to their friends and family who are aged 50-74 and ask them if they’ve done their test – talking about poo isn’t taboo when it could save your life.
“Across Victoria we see significant disparities in participation rates.
“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows that while participation has increased it still equates to only four in 10 completing their bowel screening test when it was sent to them in the mail.
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“Cancer Council’s goal is to see all regions across the state have these high participation rates because we know that if we can increase participation across the country from four in 10 to six in 10, we could save 84,000 lives over the next 20 years.
“If you have the screening test at home and you’re yet to complete it, please do the test now.”
This announcement comes alongside new Australian Government funding for an ongoing campaign to get more people participating in bowel screening.
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“Cancer Council is very pleased to be working with the Australian Government to get more people participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and we hope the continued awareness from another campaign will help us in our mutual goal to achieve a cancer-free future,” Mr Harper said.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program delivers screening kits to the homes of eligible Australians aged 50-74 every two years.
The test is free, quick and hygienic and can be completed at home and returned in the post.
Find out more at www.cancervic.org.au/bowel
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