<PracticeLetterhead>

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program - please do your free test
Dear <PtFullName>,
We are {or I am} writing to encourage you to do a test which looks for the early signs of bowel cancer.
You will get your first National Bowel Cancer Screening Program test kit in the mail around your 50th birthday. The test is free and easy to do in your own home.  
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia, especially for people aged over 50.  If found early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated 90% of the time.
We {or I} strongly recommend you do the test - even if you don’t have any symptoms or family history.  

You should talk to your GP {or me} before doing the test if you have:
•	a significant family history of bowel cancer, 
•	had a bowel condition in the last year which is under treatment, or
•	had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years or have one scheduled.
Symptoms of bowel cancer can include: 
•	blood in your bowel motion, 
•	persistent diarrhoea or constipation, 
•	unexplained tiredness or weight loss, or
•	abdominal pain. 
Symptoms do not mean that you have bowel cancer, but if you have any please talk to your GP {or me} -don’t wait to get a test in the post.
For more information call the Program Information Line on 1800 118 868 or go to www.cancerscreening.gov.au/bowel.  And of course, you can also always visit your GP {or me} to discuss.
Remember, the test could save your life.  Please do it when you get it.
Yours sincerely
<DrName>