If you or someone you know are part of a local community group or club which includes members aged 50 – 74 years, we’d love your help to shine a light on bowel cancer screening amongst your peers.
About bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in Western Australia. It often develops without any symptoms and can grow in the bowel for years before spreading to other parts of the body. Bowel cancer can occur at any age, but the risk increases significantly from the age of 50.
Bowel cancer screening
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer, by detecting the early signs of the disease. Eligible Australians, 50 – 74 years of age, are sent a free, simple test that is done at home. The test can detect tiny amounts of blood in your poo that can be a sign of bowel cancer.
Screening for bowel cancer is incredibly important, as the screening test can help find bowel cancer before you notice any symptoms. If found in the early stages, treatment is much more likely to be successful.
We need your help
If your local community group or club includes members aged 50 – 74 years of age, we’d love your help to promote bowel cancer screening amongst your peers.
By being a ‘powel’ to bowel screening, you simply encourage your peers to do the simple, free home bowel cancer screening test when they receive it in the mail.
We know that many people avoid doing the test or aren’t aware how important it is. Having a friendly face, or someone they trust tell them, is often the best way to get them to do the potentially life-saving test. Not only will they participate in bowel cancer screening, but hopefully it will have a ripple effect on their wider network too.
You don’t need to be an expert in bowel cancer screening, we are here to help along the way! A social media post, newsletter article, or poster on the wall could reach someone who might otherwise not get tested. You could even organise to have one of our bowel cancer screening professionals conduct a free education session for your club/group. Contact our friendly team who can provide the assets, resources and information you require.
If you can encourage just one of your peers to take part in screening, you could save a life.
Martin has been promoting bowel cancer screening to his peers at the Marmion Angling and Acquatic Club.
For more information:
- Email the bowel cancer screening team to access bowel cancer screening assets, resources and information.
- Learn more about The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
- Learn more about bowel cancer.
- Read our frequently asked questions.