National bowel cancer screening program (NBCSP)
Bowel cancer has a significant impact on the health of Western Australians. In 2006, 1080 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer in WA, whilst 400 people died from the disease (WA Cancer Registry, 2007).
Screening for bowel cancer has the potential to facilitate early diagnosis and prevent the development of the disease.
» Background: phase one (27 January 2007 – 30 June 2008)
Phase two (01 July 2008 – 30 June 2011)
In May 2008, the Australian Government committed to expand the screening program to include Australians turning 50 (from 01 January 2008 to 30 December 2010), in addition to those turning 55 or 65 (from 01 July 2008 to 30 December 2010).
It is estimated that around 212,000 Western Australians will participate in the screening program.
Faecal occult blood test (FOBT)
» May 2009 – issues concerning test kits (external link)
FOBTs detect small amounts of blood in faeces, which may indicate the presence of an abnormal growth in the bowel. FOBTs do not detect cancer, but are useful indicators for further investigations, such as colonoscopy.
The National Health and Medical Research Council’s Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer 2005 (PDF 2.7MB) state “a person with a positive FOBT has a 30–45% chance of having an adenoma and a 3–10% chance of colorectal cancer.”
Participants in the NBCSP are mailed a free FOBT kit from the Australian Government. The test is completed at home and mailed to the contracted laboratory for processing.
Participants with positive tests are alerted, in writing, by the testing laboratory and advised to consult their GP, who will discuss the most appropriate option for investigation, usually colonoscopy.
Colonoscopic assessment will help determine whether there is any abnormality present, its type and significance. Biopsies of tissue from the bowel may be taken at colonoscopy to confirm findings. If cancer is found, patients will be referred to a surgeon to discuss the most suitable options for treatment.
Participant follow-up
From June 2009, the Bowel Team will undertake the follow-up of NBCSP participants who do not appear to have attended their follow-up, either with their GP or colonoscopist.
Participant follow-up officers (PFOs) will only contact participants with a positive FOBT to confirm with them if they have seen their doctor for follow-up. The information provided will then be forwarded to the NBCSP Register, operated by Medicare Australia to ensure screening records are current.
The NBCSP Register may also write to participants to remind them to attend their follow-up.
The information accessed by PFOs on the NBCSP Register is strictly confidential and protected by legislation. The PFO can access information for the sole purpose of assisting with follow-up duties. Only the participant (and not other family members) will be contacted by the PFO to ensure privacy is maintained.
More information
Information about bowel cancer, colonoscopy and the NBCSP can be found on the website www.cancerscreening.gov.au. Information is available in English and a variety of other languages.
Indigenous resources
In May 2009 the bowel team launched a bowel screening flip chart and poster targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The "You’re lookin’ good on the outside, but what about the inside?" resources are aimed at increasing and encouraging the target group to participate in the NBCSP.
» A3 flip chart – ATSI bowel screening (PDF 3.5MB)
» A3 poster – ATSI bowel screening (PDF 380KB)
More services:
» Cancer nurse coordination service
» Directory of cancer services
» Multidisciplinary clinic referrals (PDF 80KB)
» Psycho-oncology service
» Telehealth
» Tumour collaboratives
File formats
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