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National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Free Bowel Test Kits for Ages 45 ~ 74

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National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Free Bowel Test Kits for Ages 45 ~ 74
Go to Deal
SupeNintendoChalmers on 02/07/2023 - 16:59 health.gov.au (12957 clicks)
Last edited 30/06/2024 - 19:57 by 2 other users

First time watching commercial TV in ages and noticed this ad. Didn’t realise that these kits are available, it’s a shame they are not offered to under 50s for free, but I digress.

From the website

This program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. If found early, more than 90% of cases can be successfully treated. Eligible Australians aged 50 to 74 are mailed a free test done at home every 2 years. Learn about the program and how to do the test.

Update June 13 2024:

From 1 July 2024, we are lowering the eligible screening age from 50 to 45. This means people aged 45 to 49 can join the program.

  • People aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel cancer screening kit be mailed to them.
  • People aged 50 to 74 will continue to receive a bowel cancer screening kit in the mail every 2 years.
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Comments

  • Scrooge McDeal on 02/07/2023 - 17:02
    +15

    This program it's been available for ages. Nothing new. You don't even have to do anything to get the kit. They just send it to you via mail once you have reached the age criteria.

    • SpeedRunnerLink on 02/07/2023 - 17:07
      +53

      A lot of people aren't aware of it and dont do the test.

      I only found out about this after my mother was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

      And she never knew about it or cared to get checks.

      • Scrooge McDeal on 02/07/2023 - 17:09

        I am sorry to here about that. Awareness it's good. That's why I haven't neg the deal. However the bowel cancer screening it's send via mail once you reach the age criteria. So everyone it's eligible for it.

        • SpeedRunnerLink on 02/07/2023 - 17:11
          +10

          But the problem with some elderly people is that they never take care of themselves or be bothered.
          Even when it comes in the mail for them.

          Getting them to take vitamins or medication can be a task itself.

          Sometimes it takes family and friends to get them to do it which can be frustrating.

          • Scrooge McDeal on 02/07/2023 - 17:14
            +7

            @SpeedRunnerLink: True that. What I was trying to say it's eligible people don't need to do anything to obtain the deal (bowel cancer screening) it's send via mail to all eligible people. Now people that are eligible, I highly recommend to take advantage of this opportunity and get checked. Prevision it's the best tactic.

            • CacheHunter on 02/07/2023 - 18:28
              +22

              @chrisd262:

              over 50 is quite elderly

              50+ and soon to be dad of a 0yo here.

              As a general point (I'm not directing this at Chris, who I doubt intended any offence), but ageism against both younger and upper middle aged and older people is a scourge in Australia's workplaces and community. We all need to make sure that we don't contribute to it.

              • dogzilla on 01/01/2024 - 02:23
                +2

                @CacheHunter: lel i was skateboarding with my 7yo this morning and im 52…..age is relative aint it, i run 8km 3 times a week so i don't think its us feeling elderly.

      • DeToxin on 01/01/2024 - 02:36

        I work for a company who helps practices send reminders for things like this, screening rates are pretty bad for bowel cancer, and even worse for cervical cancer, any awareness is a + in my books. It's super preventable but a lot of people just don't get round to it

    • Ocker on 02/07/2023 - 17:31
      +22

      Close friend received his kit in the mail and never bothered to submit the test.
      Two years later he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and after three years of ongoing treatment he died - at the age of 55

      • bohn on 02/07/2023 - 22:19
        +3

        Same thing happened to a woman we knew. She didn't want to do the test because it was gross. Ended up dying from cancer.

        • thekensai on 31/12/2023 - 21:19

          how gross would it be? does it require you to stick something up your own arse, or mess with the poo?

          • dogzilla on 01/01/2024 - 02:26

            @thekensai: haha, yes, you also have to submit to an anal probe.

            But seriously, you crap in the toilet, scrape some up in a test tube - put test tube in mail pouch, put in mailbox, get results - done.

            I think going to Maccas or turning on Netflix requires more neurons.

      • afayd on 03/07/2023 - 08:27
        +8

        This test LITERALLY saved my dad. Please don't postpone doing it when you get the kit, folks. Pressure your oldies to do it if they seem to be brushing it off.

    • BBF on 02/07/2023 - 17:42

      Dunno about available for ages. Never received one and I passed 50 multiple two years ago.

      Medicare details up to date. Haven't moved for over 15 years. Govt stuff up maybe.

      • Scrooge McDeal on 02/07/2023 - 17:44
        +1

        Definitely Government stuff up or Post Office stuff up. You can get it from your GP.

        • BBF on 02/07/2023 - 17:50
          -7

          A three or more time stuff up. Sounds like our over-paid Aust Govt….
          Yeah my GP did a pathology request. Three daily samples…. what an awful experience.

          • foursaken on 03/07/2023 - 08:50
            +5

            @BBF: Oh really? You should try having cancer in your rectum. Every second person wants to stick their finger in your ass.

      • CacheHunter on 02/07/2023 - 18:35
        +5

        Ring them, they'll happily send you a new kit and check your address details while you're at it - personal experience.
        BTW, there's a lot of people who don't realize that when your GP checks your address etc, they don't pass the details on to Medicare. You have to personally log in to Medicare or visit a Medicare office (I'm not sure if they can update addresses over the phone). Plus, even if you did tell them, fat finger errors and other poor data entry might explain your situation.

        • goingcheep on 03/07/2023 - 20:28
          +1

          Fat fingers preventing bowel cancer test…

      • PeterSnoot on 03/07/2023 - 08:10
        -1

        Here is the official information about the program: https://cancerscreening.gov.au

        Highly recommended.

      • Art Vandaley on 03/07/2023 - 08:11

        You can call them on 1800 118 868 to organise a test kit to be posted. They will also check your address on their database and update.

      • Darayus on 03/07/2023 - 11:33

        Give them call and they will send you immediately.

        There has been laspe during covid time as thier resources were diverted.

        I was in the same situation and they send kit very next day.

      • chris666 on 03/07/2023 - 15:02
        +1

        Postal worker I've sorted these tests for at least 10 years

      • 1st-Amendment on 05/07/2023 - 10:55
        -1

        Govt stuff up maybe.

        No maybe about it. And some people think we should get the government involved in more things…

      • souths123 on 19/07/2023 - 13:18

        it has definitely been around for ages. I got my first when I turned 50, and have received them every 2 years since. I am now 60. I also get routine colonoscopies done every 5 years as well, as both my father and grandfather had bowel cancer.
        Must be a govt stuff up. Contact them and get them to send one asap

    • chartparker on 02/07/2023 - 18:57

      Stop everything! I don't remember writing a check for bowling.

      Sir, that's a check for your boweling.

      Oh, yes. That's very important…

    • lost in transit on 02/07/2023 - 19:33
      +2

      After your first one I thought they automatically sent them out every two years but you have to ring them to have it sent out.

      • 1st-Amendment on 05/07/2023 - 10:58

        but you have to ring them to have it sent out.

        I used to work for the Health dept. If you are registered with Medicare they are supposed to be sent out automatically after you turn 50.
        If they don't it means something somewhere is broken.

        • lost in transit on 05/07/2023 - 21:26

          yeah it’s broken mate 😀😉, Havnt received a second one in over 7 years and another mate had to call them around 3 months ago to order his one…

    • dogzilla on 03/07/2023 - 00:48
      +1

      They send you a kit in the mail and you send it in to pathology and they send you results….easy peasy…or poosy in this case.

    • Brianqpr on 31/12/2023 - 23:30

      As long as, unlike me, you've updated your address with Medicare! All good though, finally got around to it, got the next one and the right result.

  • PinzVidz on 02/07/2023 - 17:06
    +1

    First time watching commercial TV in ages

    Know how you feel, Nein having exclusive rights to The Ashes is extremely painful.

    • yanyan1 on 02/07/2023 - 17:08
      +1

      Nein

    • Wally on 02/07/2023 - 17:18

      The English promoting 'Bazball' as providing Excitement is false advertisement of .. cold excrement

    • sween64 on 02/07/2023 - 19:21

      VPN via NZ. It was Spark Sport and now it’s TVNZ+

  • Truck-kun on 02/07/2023 - 17:07
    +5

    There's free breast screening as well if you are aged 50-74 years old, australian and well.. have a breast. Free

    • AircraftFreight on 02/07/2023 - 17:11
      +9

      That means @jv qualifies

    • Outsider on 02/07/2023 - 17:15
      -5

      So if a biological male identifies as a female and identifies as having breasts but doesn't in reality…
      What happens if he goes in to get screened?

      • georgev on 02/07/2023 - 17:19
        +3

        " biological male" so can't be screened, He can identfy himself as whatever

        • shoppe on 02/07/2023 - 17:23
          +20

          Men get breast cancer.

          • PainToad on 02/07/2023 - 17:33
            +3

            @shoppe: Unfortunately male breast cancer (like most male health issues) doesn’t get anywhere near the amount of attention it should.

            Even Movember seems to be taboo with company support now. It’s terrible.

      • Rutger on 02/07/2023 - 17:34
        +3

        Males have breasts, some can even produce small amounts of milk and can get breast cancer…

      • Plimsol on 02/07/2023 - 17:37
        +2

        Globally, males account for around 1 in 200 cases of breast cancer. The breasts on a man can be found where the nipples are.

        • Joda on 02/07/2023 - 21:17

          Just looking at the Australian stats - males seem to be around 1 in 100 diagnosed breast cancers.

          Given males aren't routinely screened, the rate of male breast cancer is presumably higher - and perhaps higher still on an aged adjusted basis.

        • Tiggrrrrr on 03/07/2023 - 00:47
          +2

          "The breasts on a man can be found where the nipples are"

          Where are they on a woman?
          Asking for a friend.

      • slipperypete on 02/07/2023 - 17:58
        +10

        So if a biological male identifies as a female and identifies as having breasts but doesn't in reality…
        What happens if he goes in to get screened?

        don't you get tired of rabbiting on about this? I mean, how much has it affected you?

        • Outsider on 04/07/2023 - 02:16

          Hasn't affected me yet, but on a long enough time scale, we are all bound to encounter an NPC that has been taught to completely surrender themselves to their "feelings".

          To the point that if they "feel like it", they should mutilate their own body parts, and artificially pump hormones into their body, when their body was not designed to handle them.

          Never knowing what it is to be disciplined or taught how to control their own emotions, they WILL cause trouble. Knife crime rates rising within the youth didn't happen for no reason. I don't think people in general want a world where more trouble exists.

          • johnno07 on 30/06/2024 - 23:22

            @Outsider: What on Earth is this ramble? Being accepting of people who are trans does not result in more stabbings. Maybe stop being so afraid of everything and just enjoy your life.

        • Bdawg on 04/07/2023 - 12:54
          +1

          Murder hasn't overly impacted my life but it's still wrong and shouldn't be supported or promoted. Complaining about someone complaining is impressive, especially when they are right.

    • bargaino on 02/07/2023 - 17:59
      +3

      well.. have a breast.

      Men do have breasts, sometimes not even itty bitty, and therefore can get breast cancer, but cannot access that free service, even if at high risk.
      Of course there are other services that are less sexist, so not really a problem.

      • Joda on 02/07/2023 - 20:52
        +2

        Many years back I was chatting with someone who worked at one of the free gov breast screening centres.
        They mentioned they had screened some males (…but perhaps from your comment the rules have now changed to prevent males accessing the service?).

        They also said the rate of breast cancer detection was very high for those males.
        (Maybe for those unfortunate blokes it had progressed sufficiently resulting in a self-selection bias and high detection rates?)

        Given the very high rates they found - if a bloke has concerns something is not right - definitely get it checked.

        • bgbrendan on 02/07/2023 - 22:12
          +1

          Probably selection bias tho, surely the only blokes trying to get tested were worried in the first place

          • Joda on 02/07/2023 - 23:13
            +2

            @bgbrendan: Yes, presumably a selection bias - as per my comment

            resulting in a self-selection bias and high detection rates

            That likely selection bias and associated high detection rates provides the potential for an effective, low cost, public health awareness campaign to save lives from male breast cancer.

            @PainToad made a topical comment above

            Unfortunately male breast cancer (like most male health issues) doesn’t get anywhere near the amount of attention it should.

  • beebul on 02/07/2023 - 17:23
    +10

    I got one in the mail when I turned 50. Weird birthday card but if it saves your life then it's a great present.

  • cookie2 on 02/07/2023 - 17:25
    +7

    Agree. Should be freely available to anyone with increased bowel cancer risks such as family history and people with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis that also have increased risk.
    It's sad it's not. I mean can you see all these young people going out and choosing to do poop tests by choice m
    Plus make it more available to younger people now and by the time they're over 50 and increased risk, it'll be more normal and the number of people actually doing them will increase.
    Anyway that's my strong opinion and I'm sticking to it.

    • beebul on 02/07/2023 - 17:28
      +1

      I thought bowel cancer can strike anyone even without a family history?

      • PainToad on 02/07/2023 - 17:31
        +3

        It can, it does. But like many cancers, family history increases the risk.

      • iWan on 02/07/2023 - 18:06

        It can. Also at any age. Leading cause of cancer death in Australia between 25 and 44.

        I was diagnosed at 28.

        • Nom on 02/07/2023 - 21:08
          +1

          Did you have symptoms ? How did you know to get tested ?

          • iWan on 02/07/2023 - 22:13
            +8

            @Nom: I had symptoms laughed off by a GP who said I was way too young to have bowel cancer.

            Nothing to worry about, sent me home with a script for hemorrhoid cream. No physical examination at all. Pants stayed on.

            I had blood in my stool. Eventually i had a chance meeting with a gastroenterologist who did a colonoscopy.

      • SpeedRunnerLink on 02/07/2023 - 21:56

        As the others has mentioned. It can happen to anyone anytime.

        Sometimes not because of family history but because of all the chemicals and ingredients used in food these days.

        No one in my family had it prior to my mother getting bowel cancer.

        Constant stress and not taking care of yourself.can also lead to cancer

      • cookie2 on 02/07/2023 - 22:39

        Who said it couldn't?

        So what do you think of that?

    • PainToad on 02/07/2023 - 17:30
      +9

      You can get them from the chemist. People with family history should definitely pay the few bucks and still do the test.

      Bowel cancer kills at any age.

      • mooney on 02/07/2023 - 19:26
        +7

        I had to do a test recently as has low iron, was surprisingly hard to find in a pharmacy, feedback I got was that they’re limiting the # of pharmacies approved to sell them.

        You can get them online. One off payment and results are sent to your gp. Also you don’t need to handle poo (in case anyone was wondering)
        https://shop.bowelcanceraustralia.org/

        If any ozbargainers find traces of blood in your stools go get this checked. Bowel cancer is extremely treatable but needs to be found early.

        End of public service announcement.

      • cookie2 on 03/07/2023 - 17:33

        It's about removing barriers to uptake. Buying from a pharmacy is a barrier. But ofcourse purchasing is an option. I believe some health insurance providers will give some money back for it too (ahm have health improvement extras).

        • karmduit on 31/12/2023 - 22:17

          Yes, our Bupa extras plan pays out on bowel testing kit. From memory from age 40.

    • dr_ rusko on 02/07/2023 - 17:38
      +11

      people at higher risk should be having regular colonoscopies…

      if they have crohns / ulcerative colitis then they should be under the care of a gastroenterologist who would be doing regular scopes and advising about further screening as needed …

      If they have family history - again - see your local GP for advice for most appropriate approach to screening.

      FYI - any doctor can do a request form for FOBT (if they think it is appropriate) and test can be done - will be bb'ed through pathology.

      • cookie2 on 02/07/2023 - 23:18
        -1

        This is about REMOVING barriers and ENCOURAGING testing. Actually they could even extend the testing window if feasible for younger groups.

    • Boscom123 on 02/07/2023 - 20:10
      +3

      @Cookie2:
      Unfortunately your strong opinion remains uninformed. Any population based screening program needs to also consider the harms that can arise from false positive results.
      If we started screening from say the age of 20, we would have an excessive number of false positives necessitating further investigation via colonoscopies. How will these be able to be performed in a timely fashion when there is already a substantial backlog in many states? Also, colonoscopies are not entirely benign - you are subjected to the risks of an anaesthetic (though very safe, not 100% risk free), as well as procedural risks including bowel perforation.

      Clearly a balance needs to be sought, which you really should consider.

      • cookie2 on 02/07/2023 - 22:46
        +2

        Uninformed how?

        Different to your opinion but not sure how I'm anymore uninformed than you. We're both talking hypothetically here.

        You believe it's better to test less, so as to not have false positives? I mean if that's a problem on the scale you suggest, that'd be a bit strange. Do you know the stats on false positives? If you do, I'd genuinely happily read.

        Nobody is talking about colonoscopies. Talking about a bowel screening test being offered for free to other VULNERABLE groups.

        I think we're better off knowing more than less and I think this needs to be promoted and normalised more.

        • Boscom123 on 03/07/2023 - 14:05

          I say uninformed because you haven’t been able to link it to the next step.

          What do you think happens when someone has a positive screening test? That’s right, a colonoscopy. That’s the way to determine whether the test is a true positive or a false positive.
          If you look at the positive predictive value of FOBTs you’ll understand. (ie. what percentage of positive tests will actually have bowel cancer). From a cursory glance at sources, this is probably less than 10%. That means more than 90% of people who have positive screening test, will then undergo a colonoscopy and be found NOT to have cancer.
          The prevalence of cancer increases with age, and this will raise the PPV, making it a better test in that population.

          So while I appreciate you can have an opinion - there’s a reason it isn’t what is being implemented currently and outrage directed at the current system probably isn’t justified.

          • cookie2 on 03/07/2023 - 17:42

            @Boscom123: Not outraged. Just in disagreement. People may do this test if something has changed or they're concerned. The benefit of referral, even if there is a false negative, is that other issues may be picked up, creating opportunities for improved health outcomes, not just bowel cancer but bowel health overall.
            If I was a young person that had bowel cancer and someone gave me your logic (which I get, it isn't illogical) I'd feel let down by a health system that hadn't promoted something to me that ended up relevant. We're ultimately talking about life here and I feel that changes the weight of 90 vs 10%.

    • balu on 02/07/2023 - 22:13
      +5

      GP here so I will chime in. It’s great that Oz bargain is running a promo but population level screening is targeted for a reason. Often the reason is complex, balancing the risk of cancer vs risk of overscreening(ie false positive rate leading sometimes to lots of unnecessary procedures with no reduction in early cancer rates). But ANYONE can get the test if they wish but it is worth a conversation. Yes cancer can strike anyone at ANYTIME but it’s not possible to screen for every cancer every day of your life. So often there are risk calculations made to target certain individuals ie fair skin for melanoma, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer, prostate etc

      • cookie2 on 02/07/2023 - 22:49

        I agree in part. That's why i believe that MORE VULNERABLE groups should have access. Not necessarily everyone. Women get cervical cancer checks every few rears, breast cancer screening, why shouldn't high risk men and women have the ability and encouragement to easily access this? Whether or not they see a regular GP, gastroenterologist or otherwise.

        • ozbking on 02/07/2023 - 23:11
          +1

          Yes, high risk populations do get targeted. There are actually criteria to help find these high risk patients. If you’re high risk enough for bowel cancer, you might even be started on aspirin by your GP.

          What will be quite interesting will be the use of multi cancer early detection tests, like Galleri. This will be very interesting to see how it impacts cancer screening, and might even lower the age significantly on when people get started.

        • whitty55 on 03/07/2023 - 08:54

          You can still get the testing. You would have to discuss it with your GP first. Of course, people assessed as having a higher risk (vulnerable as you described) should get the testing, and that's what your GP will do.

          There are a number of factors that determine who is at a higher risk. Like some other people have said, if you have UC or Crohn's then you will already have a gastroenterologist and get regular colonoscopies. If you have a family history then it depends on degree (eg 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc) of the relative, how many, the age of diagnosis, their individual risk factors and the type of cancer they had (eg, primary or secondary). As well as factors in the patient, such as age, symptoms, exposures, diet, physical activity, alcohol etc.

          I guess the thing is there needs to be some sort of barrier to prevent anyone from grabbing a test. This is due to the previously mentioned harm that can be caused by screening. The benefit of the screening is calculated against the potential harm caused by the screening for a particular population. Harm can be caused by false positives, in the case of the FOBT it is VERY sensitive and only tests for blood in the stool, which can arrive there by a bunch of reasons. The follow up for a positive FOBT is a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a serious surgical procedure that requires preparation, and has risks from anasthesia and the surgery itself, eg perforation and infection. People do die following colonoscopies and during more minor procedures.

          Information on what makes a good screening tool is readily available on the internet from places such as the WHO. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/330829/9789…

          In some ways the FOBT is not a great test, it is very sensitive but not very specific. So if you spot blood in your stool or you are symptomatic then an FOBT is useless since you likely need a colonoscopy anyways.

          Money is always an issue too. There is only so much in the budget and running a lot of tests for little benfit can divert resources from other parts of the healthcare system.

          • bohn on 03/07/2023 - 14:07
            +1

            @whitty55:

            You can still get the testing. You would have to discuss it with your GP first.

            Or order a kit online for $40 https://shop.bowelcanceraustralia.org/products/bowelscreen-a…

          • cookie2 on 03/07/2023 - 17:51

            @whitty55: All true and of course $. But there can also be positives to false positives. I'm not sure what the rates of undiagnosed IBD are but considering blood in stool is 1 symptom of IBD and untreated IBD increases bowel cancer risk, referring onto a specialist could improve health outcomes.

            • whitty55 on 03/07/2023 - 18:47
              +1

              @cookie2: I'm not agreeing or disagreeing that the age shouldn't be lowered for screening, there are pros and cons to both. Just outlining the process and what's involved.

              If you have IBD then you will have symptoms, which means you don't need an FOBT you need a colonoscopy. The purpose of screening is to find asymptomatic bleeding. However, if you have IBD and took and FOBT and you have a positive FOBT it is likely to be a true positive.

              A false positive means there is another reason for it to get positive besides blood and you get a colonoscopy for no reason.

              It is possible that you could pick something else up on the colonoscopy and it is caught early. It is also possible that something is picked up and treated, but that lesion would never have formed a problem for the patient anyways. But if you find something, then it was a true positive.

              • cookie2 on 04/07/2023 - 20:06
                -1

                @whitty55: People don't always know what they need or what symptoms should be of concern. I think screening increases this education and information, providing opportunity for better health circumstances now and extended.

                I read an article just yesterday about the increase in bowel cancer amongst young people, but so many young people still think it's irrelevant to them. Until it unfortunately is.

                • whitty55 on 25/07/2023 - 20:01

                  @cookie2: People can be provided information without screening though.

      • Mooncakes on 03/07/2023 - 00:42

        cancer can strike anyone at ANYTIME but it’s not possible to screen for every cancer every day of your life

        Would be cool if it was possible to have a monthly scan/check up via something simple like a bloodtest, I know it's not possible but I'd be down for a monthly checkup for everything because the earlier you catch it theres probably a chance to help chances of getting rid of it.

        • whitty55 on 03/07/2023 - 19:01

          There are some screening methods, but it's complicated. "Cancer" is an extremely broad term and all cancers behave differently. They are diagnosed and treated in different ways.

          As far as testing goes:

          There are some genetic mutations you can be screened for if you have a family history, but they can just be random. In the future when it is cheap enough, everyone could have their genome sequenced and we could know a whole load of diseases that we might be susceptible to. Things such as genetic mutations can then be targeted before they become an issue. Wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a big part of medicine in the future.

          There are also some proteins in the bloodstream that we can look for with certain cancers, however these are not 100% and must be interpreted with context.

          You could get imaging but also helps to have context and so it can result in a lot of false positives, resulting in testing and treatment for no reason. Xray and CT also exposes you to radiation, ultrasound or MRI do not though.

    • souths123 on 19/07/2023 - 13:19

      there are kits you can purchase for a reasonable price if under 50 and concerned

  • [Deactivated] on 02/07/2023 - 17:30
    +5

    The 50yo age limit is bs considering more younger people are starting to get it. Know 2 people in their early 30s that managed to get it treated early.

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