Why do the bowel screening test?

Why do I need to screen for bowel cancer?  

Screening for bowel cancer is important because the risk of bowel cancer increases with age. It can also develop without symptoms. 

Even people who feel fit and healthy can get it, with more than 80% of bowel cancer developing without a family history of the disease. 

The good news? If found early, over 90% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated.

Is the bowel screening test right for me?  

You should do the free bowel screening test if you:

• are aged 45 to 74
• do not have any symptoms of bowel cancer
• do not have any family history of bowel cancer. 

You should talk to your doctor about doing the screening test if you have:  

• had a bowel condition (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) in the last 12 months which is currently under treatment
• had a colonoscopy in the last 2 years, or you are scheduled for a colonoscopy soon
• a family history of bowel cancer. 

People with no functioning colon do not need to be screened.

If your doctor recommends not to participate in the program, please advise the National Cancer Screening Register you wish to ‘opt out’ or ‘delay’ receiving your next kit. You can manage your participation at the participant portal, submit a webform, or call 1800 627 701.

Do I have to take part in the program?  

Participation in the program is voluntary – it is your choice.  

If you want to opt out or delay participation in the program, you can manage your participation via the participant portal, submit a webform, or call 1800 627 701.

If you opt out of the program, you will not receive any reminder letters and you will not be invited to screen. If you change your mind, or on advice from your doctor, you can opt back into the program if you are aged 45 to 74.

Please do not return your unused kit or give it to another person. If you know someone who wants to do the test, or is concerned about bowel health, you should encourage them to talk with their doctor. If they are aged 45 to 74 they can request a kit online. 

I don’t feel confident to do the test

We all feel nervous or unsure when doing something for the first time. The bowel screening test is quick, clean and easy to do. Plus, you do it at home. 

To help you feel confident completing the screening test:

1. Read the test instructions or watch a short video. The instructions are included in the kit.
2. Open the kit and look at what it includes. Seeing and touching what’s inside the kit can help make doing the test feel easier.
3. Make a plan to screen. Thinking about when you will complete the kit can help break up the process. Many people find it easier to collect their samples on the weekend when they feel less rushed.

When people screen once with the program, more than 80% do the test again!

Bowel screening doesn’t seem clean

Doing the bowel screening test is like other things you might do, such as changing a nappy, cleaning up after a pet, or even cleaning the toilet. 

Doing the test is hygienic, quick and easy - just wash your hands as normal once you are done. 

Everything you need is in the kit. 

• The flushable toilet liner catches your poo in the toilet bowl.
• Use the collection stick to get a tiny sample – this is the only thing that touches the poo.
• Click the lid of the sample tube shut and nothing will leak.

There is a zip-lock bag in the kit to store your samples until it is time to mail them back for testing. 

If you are still concerned about hygiene, you can wear gloves when collecting your samples.

I don’t want to keep my samples in the fridge

It is important to keep your samples cool because exposure to high heat for an extended period can affect your test result.

The fridge is the best place but somewhere else that is cool, such as an esky is good too. You just need to keep the samples cool (not frozen) before you post them. 

With the protective packaging that comes with the kit, there is no risk of contamination. Once you click the sample tube shut, it is airtight. 

If you are still concerned about storing your samples in the fridge, you can put everything in another container or bag until it’s time for you to mail your samples back.

Life is busy. How do I remember to do the test?

We recommend you place the test kit somewhere you will remember to do it. This could be on the bench or next to the toilet so it will be there as a reminder.

Give yourself a deadline for doing the test. It’s best to do it as soon as possible after it arrives. 

We will automatically send you a reminder by mail or SMS to do the test if after 8 weeks we haven’t received your samples, and again at 16 weeks.

You can also set a reminder to do the test in your calendar or diary. Or opt-in for email reminders to do the test with Cancer Council Australia.

If you are worried about other people seeing your reminder, make it meaningful only to you. This could be a sticker or note on your fridge or bathroom mirror. 

What does it mean if my test is positive? 

A positive test result is not a cancer diagnosis; it just means blood was found in one of your samples. The blood may be caused by conditions including polyps, haemorrhoids or inflammation of the bowel. 

Blood in your poo needs to be investigated. You should talk with your doctor as soon as possible to discuss the result.