Victoria’s Indian community is being urged to take advantage of the recent change in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Starting from July 1, the program has been extended to include those aged 45 to 49, making it easier for more people to detect bowel cancer early through a simple at-home screening test. This age group can now order their free screening kits and continue to receive them every two years.
Bowel cancer is a major concern in Victoria, with data from the Victorian Cancer Registry showing that 72 men and 73 women aged between 45 and 49 were diagnosed with the disease in 2022 alone. The overall number of diagnoses last year stood at 3,504 across the state. Despite these alarming figures, there is a significant gap in the number of people actually participating in the screening program.
Research by Cancer Council Victoria has revealed that one of the reasons for low participation is a lack of awareness, particularly within Victoria’s Indian community. Many people either aren’t aware of bowel cancer or feel that they don’t need to take the test if they don’t have symptoms. However, symptoms such as unexplained tiredness, stomach pain, weight loss, or blood in the stool could indicate the presence of bowel cancer, and early detection is crucial.
Dr Bhajanpreet Rawal, a local Victorian doctor, stressed the importance of taking the screening test. “We encourage everyone who receives the free test kit to use it immediately. Even if you feel fine, this test could be life-saving.”
Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair, Head of Prevention at Cancer Council Victoria, echoed the importance of the program’s expanded eligibility. He highlighted that bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men and the third among women in the state. Yet, the good news is that over 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if caught early.
The message is clear: take the test, even if you feel healthy, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. For those aged 50 to 74, the program remains unchanged, with kits arriving in the mail every two years.
For more information on bowel screening or to order your free kit, you can visit the National Cancer Screening Register website or contact them directly by phone. Taking this simple step could make all the difference.
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