Victorians aged 45–49, including those in Sunbury and Macedon Ranges, can now order a free bowel screening test.
The new eligibility comes after significant changes to the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Cancer Council Victoria’s head of prevention Craig Sinclair said the change was welcomed and urged those with access to the free screening program to take part.
“Bowel cancer is Victoria’s second leading cause of cancer-related death among men and the third among women. But it can also be prevented through participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program,” he said.
“The test, also known as the faecal occult blood test, can detect signs of bowel cancer before symptoms occur.”
Mr Sinclair said the opportunity could be lifesaving, even for those who would not consider themselves at risk.
“Bowel cancer can develop with no symptoms or family history,” he said. “This is why doing regular screening from the age of 45 is so important, even if you feel well and live a healthy lifestyle.”
Once someone signs up, they receive the test kit in the mail and can expect to receive it every two years after the completion of their first test.
Latest Victorian Cancer Registry data shows that 72 Victorian men and 73 Victorian women aged 45-49 were diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022.
People aged 50-74 will continue to receive a kit in the mail every two years.
Details: cancervic.org.au/bowel
