Bowel screening saves lives

Ballandean resident Geoff Hillman knows first-hand the importance of bowel cancer screening and the benefits of catching the symptoms early.
After participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program earlier this year, Mr Hillman wants to help make more people aware this Bowel Cancer Awareness Week (June 3-9) just how common bowel cancer is and how important early detection can be.
“I received a kit in the mail as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program,” he said.
“The test was quick and easy to complete. All I had to do was take a sample from two bowel motions and send them off to the laboratory for testing.
“I received the test results in the mail two weeks later, which showed that blood had been found in the sample, a sign that polyps, a pre-cancerous growth, or bowel cancer may be present.
“After I got the results, I went off to see my GP who referred me for a colonoscopy at Toowoomba Hospital.
“The colonoscopy found that the polyps I had contained a very aggressive cancer. But, thanks to the Bowel Screening Program, it is gone with no after effects.
“The program is life saving. Anybody that ignores the screening offer does so at their own risk. I encourage people to participate – there really is no point in taking the risk,” he said.
Statistics from the Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program Statistical Report August 2006 – December 2010 released late last year, also show the program is saving lives in the Toowoomba catchment area.
The Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program gastroenterology nurse coordinator for the Toowoomba catchment area, Wendy Irwin, said 235 residents have had at least one polyp or precancerous growth detected and removed during the first five years of the program.
The Toowoomba Catchment area for the Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program covers from Gatton through to Thargomindah in the west, Goondiwindi in the south and north to Taroom.
“Many of the people who participated had no symptoms to alert them to anything being wrong.
“Without the screening program, the growths may have remained undetected and could have become bowel cancer.
“These statistics are not surprising, given that bowel cancer is the most common cancer affecting both men and women combined, and the second highest cause of cancer-related deaths behind lung cancer.”
“The good news is that about 90 per cent of bowel cancers are treatable if detected early.
“Bowel cancer is even preventable if you catch the disease at the polyp stage,” Mrs Irwin said.
“We hope that the program goes a long way to reducing the burden of illness caused by this dangerous disease,” she said.
The national program is inviting everyone turning 50, 55 or 65 years of age to participate.
“Invitation kits are being sent to men and women around the time of their eligible birthday,” Mrs Irwin said.
“As screening is so effective in detecting bowel cancer or polyps early, I’d really encourage those eligible for the program to participate.”
Bowel Cancer Awareness Week is an initiative of Bowel Cancer Australia, which aims to raise awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 80 Australians every week.
To find out more about Bowel Cancer Awareness Week, visit www.bowelcanceraustralia.org
For more information on the Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program or to view the statistical report, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/bowelcancer
Bowel cancer fast facts:
nBowel cancer is a killer. The second deadliest cancer after lung cancer. Each week in Australia, just under 80 people die from the disease (17 of these in Queensland).
nBowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early. If detected early, 90 per cent of bowel cancers are treatable and curable.
nThe risk of bowel cancer increases with age, with those over 50 years most at risk.
nUp to 75 per cent of bowel cancers are lifestyle related and could be prevented by maintaining a healthy body weight through regular physical activity and healthy eating, and by limiting alcohol consumption and not smoking.