Bowel Cancer: Preventable, Detectable, But Still Under-Screened

Bowel cancer is one of Australia’s most preventable cancers, yet uptake of screening remains worryingly low. In the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN region, only 37.2% of eligible adults complete the bowel screening test compared to NSW rate (39.5%) and national rate (40.9%)—with participation rates lowest among men and those from multicultural communities and disadvantaged communities.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers free, mailed faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits to Australians aged 50–74, enabling early detection and prevention. It’s a proven, accessible way to detect cancer early — where 90% of cases can be treated successfully.

Your role is critical: Brief, opportunistic advice, reminder systems, issuing screening kits directly to patients eligible for the program and proactive follow-up of non-responders can lift participation and save lives.

To increase bowel cancer screening rates, healthcare providers can bulk order kits to issue to eligible patients during an appointment.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website outlines the 5 steps, your practice can follow to help increase the bowel screening rates of eligible people in your community:

1. Register for access to the National Cancer Screening Register Healthcare Provider (HCP) Portal. You can also integrate your clinical software for easier access.
2. Get training to help you adopt and promote screening in your practice.
3. Order the free test kits through the portal.
4. Hand out kits to eligible patients and record this in the portal.
5. Access resources with culturally tailored options, including an expanded range for Indigenous people to promote participation in the program.

Let’s lead change this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (June 2025) – normalise screening and help more people take this life-saving step.