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Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

June 4, 2020

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness month.

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. It claims the lives of 103 Australians every week (5,375 people a year).

Most bowel cancers start as benign, non-threatening growths (called polyps) on the wall or lining of the bowel. Some polyps are harmless but others can become cancerous (malignant).

But the good news is almost 90% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully when detected early.

Bowel Cancer Screening

Screening is recommended for people 50 years and over using a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every 1 to 2 years.

People with a family history of bowel cancer need extra testing to find bowel cancers early. This may include regular colonoscopies.

Ask your GP about bowel cancer screening at your next visit.

For more information about Bowel Cancer Awareness month, visit Bowel Cancer Australia.