San Remo’s Michelle Young is more than happy to lend her voice to the Australian Government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Part of the program is an awareness campaign to encourage the over-50 age group to Get2it and take a free screening test for bowel cancer.
With a family history of colorectal cancer, Young said she understood the importance of early detection and was happy to participate in the program for the first time after her 50th birthday.
And it’s lucky she did. A large polyp was discovered and removed, averting a potential malignancy.
“That was my first test, and I was surprised at how simple it was,” she said.
“It was so simple, and so easy.
“I think anything that means prevention is a great opportunity.”
Having had a sibling diagnosed with bowel cancer, Young said she had long been aware of the importance of a screening test.
“If the polyp had been left untreated, it would have turned malignant,” she said.
“I had no symptoms, so I am glad I did the test. It was simple, it was easy, and the results were back in a week – it’s as easy as posting off a letter.
“I am only 51 and I have a lot of living to do.
“Don’t take things for granted, we are very lucky to have these free tests available. It’s a brilliant program.”
Each year, the Australian Government offers free screening kits to more than six million Australians through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, however, participation is low with only four in 10 of these completing the test nationally.
Despite this low participation rate, in a recent survey conducted for the Australian Government and Cancer Council, nine out of 10 people, aged 50 years or older said they took their health seriously, and four out of five knew that bowel cancer was one of the top three cancers leading to death in Australia.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said raising the participation rate to 60 per cent would save 84,000 lives by 2040.
“I encourage everyone aged 50 to 74 to do their screening too,” he said.
“Please put the test somewhere visible like the bathroom as a reminder.
“Doing the test as soon as you get it could save your life. “
The National Bowel Screening Program test is quick and hygienic and can be completed at home and returned in the post.
More information is available at www.cancer.org.au/bowelscreening
Source:
Cancer Council