More than 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if found early. Take action by completing your free screening test, posted to all eligible adults aged 50 to 74 years.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death in Australia. More than 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if found early. If you’re aged 50-74, make sure you do the free bowel screening test every two years.
Laurie’s story
At 52, Laurie felt fit, healthy and had no cancer symptoms. But after doing his bowel screening test, he was shocked to find he had bowel cancer.
“I would have been dead by now if I hadn’t done the test, the cancer could have spread quickly based on where it was located and there would have been nothing the doctors could have done for me,” Laurie said.
“That was very confronting and even more shocking than the diagnosis.”
Laurie’s cancerous tumour and pre-cancerous polyp were removed during surgery. Because it was found early, no further treatment was needed.
Laurie is urging others to do their bowel screening test now, and don’t risk their lives any longer.
Read more about Laurie’s story on the Cancer Council Victoria .
Take action today
Aged 50 to 74? Don’t take the risk, take the test.
Bowel cancer can develop without any symptoms and without a family history.
If you’re aged 50 to 74 you should do the free bowel screening test every two years when it’s sent to you in the mail.
When you get your bowel screening kit in the mail, open it up and put the test in your bathroom. You can set a reminder to do the test via the Cancer Council Victoria .
If you’ve misplaced, lost or your bowel screening test has expired, order a replacement at the National Bowel Screening .
For more information, visit the Cancer Council Victoria .
Reviewed 14 June 2024