ColoVantage Bowel Cancer Screening Test (inc. Testing Service) $42.95 Delivered @ Bowel Cancer Australia

2470
ColoVantage Bowel Cancer Screening Test (inc. Testing Service) $42.95 Delivered @ Bowel Cancer Australia
Go to Deal
Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 18:11 shop.bowelcanceraustralia.org (1312 clicks)
Last edited 30/09/2024 - 17:52 by 1 other user

Under 45/50 (or not Medicare eligible) and concerned about bowel cancer & want some peace of mind? A meagre $42.95 delivered (was $45) for an Australian designed & manufactured test that includes testing and results.

Young onset bowel cancer accounts for more than 10% of cases, but early detection has a >90% treatment success rate!

Unfortunately, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only free for 50-74 year olds (and "eligible participants" 45+). It's the same test as this deal, and having previously had to supply a sample (not pleasant), was surprised and enthused to learn the tests have significantly evolved.

The collection process is simple & mess free, and there's no touching or scooping of poo, it's a small sample of the toilet water into which you have crapped. Bag 'er up and off it goes in the prepaid envelope supplied with the kit and your result is ready within 24hrs of the lab receiving it.

Seems great value for something designed & manufactured in Australia, and you're supporting a nonprofit doing great work.

Alternatively you can grab it instore at Chemist Warehouse for $42.99, definitely not a "shitty deal".

NB: While this is a convenient & easy screening method, if you have any concerns or display any symptoms, please see your GP as a matter of priority!

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Comments

  • Lucille Bluth on 29/09/2024 - 18:15
    +25

    But it is free for a test ever 2 years for 45-49 and if over get one free from a GP

    National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
    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 45 to 74 can do a free test at home every 2 years. Learn about the program and how to do the test.

    Link to request a free kit

    • Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 18:19
      +10

      Yes, but you have to be over 50 (or 45 if eligible - don't know what that means). As mentioned, at least 10% of cases are in people under the threshold age, which is statistically significant, so if you have concerns or are just curious it makes sense to access testing. Turns out it's cheap & easy to do.

      • Kiwimedic on 29/09/2024 - 18:33
        +6

        You are eligible to do the screening test every 2 years if you:
        are between 45 and 74
        have a Medicare card and entitlement type of either Australian citizen, permanent migrant or register as a Department of Veteran Affairs customer
        have an Australian mailing address.

      • Lucille Bluth on 29/09/2024 - 19:48
        +2

        I will upvote as I think it is a good reminder to get tested regardless. I tried to edit my comment to make it sound less like a dick (wasn't my intent) but couldn't as you had already replied.

        Everyone else - get tested whichever channel you use to get a test, regardless of cost.

      • ozbking on 29/09/2024 - 22:26
        +1

        If you have concerns, then you should be seeing your GP. If you have symptoms, then it’s not screening, it’s “case finding”, and the tests may be different.

        If you want to do the screening under 45/50, that’s fine but also understand there are higher rates of false positives compared to if you were doing these tests after 50.

      • darkmoss on 30/09/2024 - 04:14
        -4

        any GP will do this for free

        • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 07:59
          +6

          Only if you have actual symptoms. And sometimes not then. And certainly not all GPs

          I lost a good friend a year ago. Under 40. She visited 3 different GPs with symptoms of bleeding from the back passage over the years before her first child was born. Was told she was too young to have bowel cancer and it was just her hemorrhoids.

          The ultrasound after birth was done by a new technician, who did the whole abdomen, not just the womb, and saw the problem. 2 days later she had a diagnosis of stage 4 bowel cancer. She lasted 4 years and it was a long, slow, very painful time.

          • fredblogs on 30/09/2024 - 12:31

            @jebdra: Unfortunately it seems like you have to insist on a colonoscopy rather than relying on the GP's "diagnosis"

      • Nuggies on 30/09/2024 - 14:04

        Those 45-49 have to opt in to receive their free kit every 2 years. Really important that people in those age groups do so not only because of what the test can do but it also will help the test being available to even younger people down the track which is super important given it’s increasing in young people by over 160%

        It’s the deadliest cancer for young people but yet they don’t screen for it in the age group that it kills the most

      • pegasusx on 30/09/2024 - 14:52

        Dont wait. Get tested.
        Childhood memories of my uncle, only 39yo at the time. Had bowel cancer and found out only when it was terminal and it already spread.
        He tried so hard to make it to his 40th Bday, but passed 2 weeks out..

    • bondy28 on 29/09/2024 - 18:35
      -7

      Relevance for a young person who hates GP's but thinks they may have symptoms?

      • Daabido on 29/09/2024 - 18:59
        +2

        I'm not keen on my Gp's butt either, but get it done.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 29/09/2024 - 19:24
        +13

        Not sure if ‘shit’ post but for the love of god go get a test. Better to have wasted $50 than find out you got months to live

        Know two people who lost their lives to bowel cancer. Both under 40.

      • iWan on 29/09/2024 - 19:50
        +8

        I had stage 3 bowel cancer at 28.

        If you have symptoms, go get a colonoscopy. Unlikely to be bowel cancer. But if it is and you don’t get it investigated then it will kill you.

        FYI. If you have had blood in stool you don’t need this. It’s there, you need a colonoscopy.

        • Spendmore on 29/09/2024 - 20:33
          +4

          I was told its usually only a concern if the blood is dark, a lot of people get piles or irritation that can bleed and is nothing to worry about.You cant get a colonoscopy without a GP referral anyway so they will advise the best course of action.

          • Igaf on 29/09/2024 - 20:43
            +5

            @Spendmore: Correct. If the blood is bright red then you might have a haemorrhoid or similar irritation. That said, blood when defacating or urinating should never be ignored, although in either case the cause may be benign.

          • iWan on 29/09/2024 - 21:47
            +1

            @Spendmore: Well just fyi again… my blood was bright red. So any blood needs to be investigated with a colonoscopy.

            Bowel cancer is the #1 cancer killer of 25 to 34 year olds… GPs are too reliant on outdated data. Something environmental, food/alcohol/medicines is changing the onset rates.

            • ozbking on 29/09/2024 - 22:28
              +4

              @iWan: That’s not true, if I had referred every patient with bright red blood without any assessment, it would clog up the scope lists, and people who actually need a scope.

              • iWan on 30/09/2024 - 08:14

                @ozbking: Of course I understand that. If there's something that can be diagnosed and treated there is clearly no need for a scope!

                If wait times blow out we then advocate to increase funding to reduce that. This in my view, is not an unreasonable position.

                • ozbking on 30/09/2024 - 20:42

                  @iWan: Funding is always limited to some degree. It’s not even just about money. Many large country towns don’t have any gastroenterologists, the operating room time is limited with competition from orthopaedic and plastic surgeons. My town of 80k population has no gastroenterologist in the public hospital, so the wait time is about 7 years for non urgent issues (they rely on locums)

            • Jimothy Wongingtons on 29/09/2024 - 22:48

              @iWan: Any other symptoms?
              Cramps, weight loss, lethargic?

              • iWan on 30/09/2024 - 08:19
                +2

                @Jimothy Wongingtons: Hey mate - yeah for me the symptoms we gradually progressive, so easy to dismiss.

                i was anaemic in the end, that resulted in lethargy and tummy cramps and urgency got bad. for me it did happen gradually, so if you took a snapshot at the start and then prior to diagnosis you'd say, holy sht that was bad, but at the time was easy to turn a blind eye to.

            • darkmoss on 30/09/2024 - 04:21

              @iWan: People are drinking less alcohol now than ever… are you saying that is the cause?

              • iWan on 30/09/2024 - 08:21
                +1

                @darkmoss: absolutely not. cause is unknown. but what we do know….

                Over the past three decades there has been a 266% increase in bowel cancer incidence rates in adolescents and young adults (15-24 years).

              • serpserpserp on 30/09/2024 - 09:18
                +3

                @darkmoss:

                People are drinking less alcohol now than ever… are you saying that is the cause

                No but we are drinking/eating more micro plastics and forever chemicals more than ever before.

          • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 08:02

            @Spendmore: Usually is a weasel word.

            Nothing says you can't have bowel cancer and hemorrhoids.

            • Spendmore on 30/09/2024 - 09:30

              @jebdra: Im not sure where you read that I said you cant have both? I certainly wasnt deterring people from doing the test. If you take a test and its positive you are advised to see your GP by email and are usually referred for a colonoscopy which is the only accurate way to detect BC. There are around 14% of these tests that are false positives.

          • Nuggies on 30/09/2024 - 14:09
            +1

            @Spendmore: A GP will only advise what they think you should do based on their opinion. If they haven’t seen any cases of younger people being diagnosed they are less likely to recommend you have a colonoscopy. They are also less likely to recommend it if you have no family history either.

            They are also more likely to tell you that it’s piles or irritation without even doing an examination.

            Plus I myself had both hemorrhoids and bowel cancer at the same time. So even if it’s likely to be that, and even if the doctor can see or feel them via rectal examination it’s still important to make sure that that is the only source of bleeding that a patient is having.

            In my bowel cancer community I know Atleast 5 other people that also had piles/hemorrhoids as well as bowel cancer and the cancer was missed because doctors decided that’s all it was.

            Super important for patients to advocate for themselves and also educate themselves so they know what to ask for and what to push for, and to know when to seek second and third opinions.

            • Spendmore on 30/09/2024 - 14:34

              @Nuggies: Yes if you feel something is wrong you dont need to take the doctors word for it and you have the right for a second opinion.
              Im not sure where it was said you cant have both together?
              I know someone who went for the 2nd opinion and was diagnosed with stage 3, they would have been too late had they not been brave enough to question other people about what their symptoms were and realise it was something more than piles. I guess my point was not for people to instantly assume the worst if they see blood or even get a positive test.

              • Igaf on 30/09/2024 - 14:53
                +1

                @Spendmore:

                I guess my point was not for people to instantly assume the worst if they see blood or even get a positive test.

                Agree. Anyone who has been mis-diagnosed with a serious illness will know just how mentally taxing it can be. If you have a serious illness or believe that to be the case then talking to support groups can be an enormous help. Many have already travelled the same or a similar path.

              • Nuggies on 30/09/2024 - 16:55
                +1

                @Spendmore: My reply was more for anyone reading the comment and thinking that it’s probably just piles. The point of my comment was that they not their doctor should assume that. Yes it’s likely to be something minor like that but just using it to promote that assumptions shouldn’t be made :)

            • ozbking on 30/09/2024 - 20:39

              @Nuggies: That’s assuming that GP only practices anecdotal medicine. If one is practicing evidence based medicine, they don’t necessarily need to have seen cases to diagnose.

              The probability of bowel is dramatically lower in 20s but it’s not 0. Hence while colon cancer is considered, it’s definitely not the first thing we think of when someone comes in with bleeding at that age.

              • Nuggies on 01/10/2024 - 13:52

                @ozbking: Well thank goodness it was the first thing my GP thought of when I saw them, otherwise I’d be dead :)

                I’m sure he didn’t automatically think it was bowel cancer, but he certainly thought of it as the first thing to rule out just in case :)

                I was the first patient of his under the age of 50 to be diagnosed, so there was no real reason for him to worry that was it.

                Someone else I know went to their GP with constant headaches, did a blood tests found them to be anemic, and told them it was probably from period and poor diet and advised an iron infusion.

                They felt better after that, until 6 months later when they had a bowl perf from a tumor, had that doctor actually investigated the cause of anemia properly they would still be alive.

        • darkmoss on 30/09/2024 - 04:16
          -2

          Dr. Wan , you don't know what you are talking about, in fact, you are not even making sense

          • iWan on 30/09/2024 - 08:27
            +7

            @darkmoss: That's a little unfair, we're talking pretty casually here without detail or context…

            I had Stage 3 Bowel Cancer diagnosed in 2015. I had a sub-total colectomy and had a temporary ileostomy for about 8 months (a poo bag on my stomach).

            I had 6 months of chemo, which I found really hard.

            I'm insanely lucky and now advocate pretty hard for awareness of the changed incident rates of early onset bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the #1 cancer killer of 25 to 44 year olds. It wasn't, but that has changed, and in my view, we need to change our approach to diagnosis.

            For complete and utter transparency, you can know exactly who i am: https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/never2young/peter-i-28

        • 1st-Amendment on 30/09/2024 - 07:48
          +2

          FYI. If you have had blood in stool you don’t need this. It’s there, you need a colonoscopy.

          Not always true. I had blood in my stool and went and got tested and was all clear. There are many other reasons for stuff like this.
          FWIW my mate's GF died of Bowel cancer in her 30's so I'm not taking this lightly.

          • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 08:10
            +1

            @1st-Amendment: This test looks for blood in your in the stool.

            Wan said "If you have had blood in stool you don’t need this. It’s there,". Meaning the blood is there.

            You need further testing - not this test.

            • Igaf on 30/09/2024 - 11:33

              @jebdra: There's no hard and fast rule - other than get professional medical advice asap.

              If you've seen blood your doctor will ask about your recent toileting (any constipation, hard stool passed, colour of blood etc), enquire about your general well-being and other cancer-related symptoms, and also ask about family history. They should also check for haemorrhoids. Based on what they find out they may suggest a stool test. Been there, done that.

            • iWan on 30/09/2024 - 13:22

              @jebdra: Bingo. I’ve met a number of people who tragically were referred to do another stool test after seeing blood. Test came back clear, told not to worry. Bang.

          • iWan on 30/09/2024 - 14:05

            @1st-Amendment: Sorry for your mate and his girlfriend 😞

    • Lizard Spock on 29/09/2024 - 19:06
      +6

      I haven't felt this good… since my last boweling

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 29/09/2024 - 19:34
        +3

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

        Edit I see you made this reference later 🤣

    • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 08:14

      But it is free for a test ever 2 years for 45-49 and if over get one free from a GP

      Yes. The OP says that.

      But what about the under 45s ?

      • Lucille Bluth on 30/09/2024 - 10:33

        You speak to your doctor and depending on your reasoning to get tested, you can get a free kit. Or pick one up for essentially same price (normal price) at CW like OP said.

  • Thypeople on 29/09/2024 - 18:16
    +14

    No cash rewards no deal

  • subydooby on 29/09/2024 - 18:29
    +5

    Just speak to your Dr about your concerns and he can write a referral to a pathology service, then make sure that the bulk bill box is ticked.

    • Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 18:33
      +10

      You can do that, but you still have to pay for the consult. Every doctor visit I've had recently has cost me more than $42.95 after the Medicare rebate, and then there's the time / opportunity cost of having to attend a surgery etc.

      • 87percent on 29/09/2024 - 18:55
        +2

        There’s been a couple of bulk bill clinics opened up near me that I’ve seen advertised in the local papers. Says no charge as long as you had Medicare. No idea about how busy it would get

      • Headless on 29/09/2024 - 19:21

        Gk to a doctor further out, you might be paying city tax or mercedes tax

        • Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 19:24
          +2

          The way things are in SE QLD right now, you go where you can get in. I travel across town to see my GP. Private clinics ie non-bulk billed are more or less the same price across the board. Anyway, driving 10km to an "outer" suburb costs time & fuel which would offset any potential saving.

        • ozbking on 29/09/2024 - 22:29
          +2

          Depends on the area, once it gets closer to rural, there’s even less chance of bulk billing

  • shutuptakemymoney101 on 29/09/2024 - 18:43
    +18

    Got sent a test kit at 50, was actually surprised at how well designed and easy to use the test kit was - top marks to whomever designed it, definitely no excuses not to do it.

    • AustriaBargain on 29/09/2024 - 21:12

      So you put your poo into the post box?

      • muncan on 29/09/2024 - 21:18
        +6

        In the poost box.

      • shutuptakemymoney101 on 29/09/2024 - 21:22
        +3

        Absolutely, a normal everyday use post box.

        What a simple easy to use well designed test wouldn't you agree?

        • AustriaBargain on 29/09/2024 - 21:23

          The poo goes into the post box, it makes so much sense.

          • youknow on 30/09/2024 - 00:44
            +3

            @AustriaBargain: It's 2 samples, less than a grain of rice in size each. Sealed in a tube each, padded, then in a "zip lock" bag. Then inside a padded envelope. Honestly, once you've seen it, you'll be less hung up on the concept of poo in the mail.

            • Ozzster on 30/09/2024 - 01:56
              -2

              @youknow: I thought I could just give a can of poo to the Auspost, just making sure the lid is shut before giving it to them.

  • camelthief on 29/09/2024 - 18:48
    +4

    You can get it for free after 45y as mentioned above. From the link

    "From 1 July 2024, people aged 45 to 49 can join the program and screen for free. You can request your first free kit by submitting a webform or calling 1800 627 701. All eligible people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their doctor about getting a kit."

    • Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 19:16
      +1

      Yeah, that's mentioned in the OP, the point is more than 10% of cases are young onset & this is an effective and cheap way for people not eligible for the free test to obtian peace of mind.

      I'm all about the Ozbargain spirit, but not paying $43 for a potentially life saving test because it's free in X years is next level…

      • WhyAmICommenting on 29/09/2024 - 19:29
        +1

        Well, I’ve had a recent colonoscopy and turn 45 mid next year so I can wait for $43 lol

        • Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 20:00

          Checkmate. I hope your colonoscopy wasn't too painful.

          • WhyAmICommenting on 29/09/2024 - 20:30
            +2

            @Ham Dragon: Nah, the worst part is drinking all that prep stuff. There’s no real discomfort after.

            • Dogstar on 29/09/2024 - 20:46
              +2

              @WhyAmICommenting: Something like 6 litres of lemon disgustingness. I wanted to die by the end of drinking it. The colonoscopy itself was the easy part.

            • Clear on 29/09/2024 - 22:32
              +3

              @WhyAmICommenting: The prep sachets I had to take for a colonoscopy were wayyyyy worse than the ones I had to take to have part of my digestive system removed. On a plus side you feel really, really relaxed waking up from a colonoscopy if they used Propofol.

    • YasimKudomi Pape on 29/09/2024 - 18:54
      +6

      This deal is good for those who are not Australian citizen or not yet a citizen, there are plenty of people who are living in Australia under this category.

      • souths123 on 29/09/2024 - 19:02
        +3

        I see you didn't get the humour lol

      • Steveoh9 on 29/09/2024 - 19:56
        -1

        Woosh

    • 191919 on 29/09/2024 - 20:00
      -4

      god just shut up

      honestly some of you people

    • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 08:19

      If you'd made the joke after upvoting the deal I'd laugh 😂

  • GoldenDragon888 on 29/09/2024 - 18:55
    +3

    Basically it's free for anyone over 45 now. They mention eligible but don't put further requirement on it.

    • TEER3X on 29/09/2024 - 19:13
      -2

      There are requirements but most people qualify

  • Hornpub on 29/09/2024 - 18:56
    +8

    really about time to get my shit together…

  • The Milk Man on 29/09/2024 - 19:02
    +2

    $43 today or $43,000 in 20 years

  • Lizard Spock on 29/09/2024 - 19:03
    +4

    "Stop everything! I don't remember writing a cheque for bowling?"

  • justtoreply on 29/09/2024 - 19:07

    Does it work if your toilet is full of funk further down the pipe where the toilet brush can't reach? Ours is gross and I can't fix it

    • MS Paint on 29/09/2024 - 19:23
      +2

      Yes. You poop onto a disposable sheet that doesn't touch the water (to prevent contamination).

      • GordonD on 29/09/2024 - 19:35

        Yes. You poop onto a disposable sheet that doesn't touch the water

        Actually, no.

        That's how the free one works. You put a flushable sheet over the water, shit into it, take a sample of the shit, and flush the sheet.

        Its not how this one works. With this one you shit in the toilet water, then dip a test card in the water.

      • WhyAmICommenting on 29/09/2024 - 20:31

        Can I get a diagram please?

  • gamemaster on 29/09/2024 - 19:15
    +25

    A friendly word of advice.

    If you see blood in your stools or the toilet bowel, then see your GP and don’t use this test as your first step.

    These FOBT tests are screening tests to look for blood which may be from bowel cancer. But bleeding can also be from polyps, anal fissures, haemorrhoids or other bowel diseases. If you already have blood in your stools, then this test is not appropriate, as it’s telling you something you already know, you need the next step in medical management.

    • Ham Dragon on 29/09/2024 - 19:19

      Thanks, that's really important advice. I updated the OP to include this.

      • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 19:23

        Well done Ham. Lord only knows why some people down voted you. Crazy.

    • MS Paint on 29/09/2024 - 19:24
      +1

      gamepoopmaster

    • Genepi on 29/09/2024 - 20:45

      So if you have regular blood from other causes then how do they screen for bowel cancer?

      • gamemaster on 29/09/2024 - 21:06
        +7

        If you have bleeding from the back passage, you are no longer at the screening for bowel cancer stage. You are at the investigate for bowel cancer stage. These bowel screening tests are designed to pick up microscopic amounts of blood in the stools, amounts you wouldn’t see/notice. Having frank blood in the stools suggests there is already something that needs further investigation.

        Generally your doctor will consider causes for the bleeding but ultimately you would need a colonoscopy with a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon. A colonoscopy with a biopsy being the gold standard investigation for colon cancer.

        • Genepi on 30/09/2024 - 00:44
          +1

          What I'm saying is if there's regular blood with a known cause (i.e. doc has confirmed the cause and the blood isn't bowel cancer) they how do you screen for bowel cancer?

          • CatGrandma on 30/09/2024 - 08:15
            +1

            @Genepi: If you have bleeding from known causes like ulcerative colitis/crohns it's recommended that you get a colonoscopy every year or two to screen for bowel cancer.

          • Nuggies on 30/09/2024 - 14:20
            +3

            @Genepi: If your bleeding was investigated by colonoscopy and a cause other than a cancer was found then the specialist performing the colonoscopy would then recommend something like 5-10 years before your next colonoscopy.

            Unless they found something that puts you at a higher risk of colon cancer or a polyp was found then the recommendation for your next colonoscopy would be a lot less, most likely anywhere from 1-5 years.

            If the cause of bleeding was only confirmed via GP then you would still need a colonoscopy as they can only investigate so much.

            Eg if GP saw an external hemeroid, you should still get w colonoscopy to make sure that that is the actual cause of bleeding as some people with bowel cancer can have both.

        • darkmoss on 30/09/2024 - 04:23
          -4

          completely incorrect

          • jebdra on 30/09/2024 - 08:25
            +2

            @darkmoss: What is incorrect?

            What gamemaster said is accurate and true

  • subydooby on 29/09/2024 - 19:38

    Colonoscopy, there should be an app for that…

    • Daabido on 29/09/2024 - 19:46
      +2

      Better than the 1970s retort, "Up your arse with a bottle of Sars!"

  • Turd on 29/09/2024 - 19:59
    +2

    Must be all the poor quality food we get nowdays, anything to make a buck they do.

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