The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is an Australian Government initiative.
The program aims to reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality from bowel cancer in Australia through providing screening tests every five years to people aged 50 to 74 years (inclusive).
The screening test looks for the presence of blood, which may be an indication of bowel cancer. A further test, a colonoscopy, is needed to determine if bowel cancer is present.
Bowel Screening Kit
People between the age of 50 and 74 years will receive a bowel screening invitation and free screening kit in the post.
The bowel screening kit contains:
- an instruction booklet
- a zip lock bag
- two flushable collection sheets
- two sampling sticks
- two sterile collection tubes
- two identification stickers
- two transportation tubes, and
- a pre-paid envelope.
The test is designed to detect small traces of blood in your bowel movements (poo) and makes it easy to safely and discreetly collect a small sample (no bigger than a grain of rice) in the privacy of your own home.
Once complete, the test can be sent by standard post to a pathology laboratory for analysis. Results are then sent to you and your nominated doctor within about two weeks.
For information about how to use the test, watch the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program campaign video below.
Using the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Kit
Transcript - using the National Bowel Cancer Screening Kit
Contact information
Visit the National Bowel Cancer website or call 1800 118 868.