Australians aged 40 to 84 years should be given free bowel cancer self-screening kits to help address rising cases, a leading charity for the disease says.
Bowel Cancer Australia is calling on the federal government to expand the eligible age group, currently 50 to 74 years, for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, where people receive free home testing kits in the mail every two years.
It comes after Cancer Council Australia, with the federal government, launched the national campaign Get2it, to increase participation in the screening program, which sits at about 43 per cent.
Bowel Cancer Australia chief executive Julien Wiggins said research showed 75 per cent of all young-onset cases were diagnosed between the age of 40 and 49.
"Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated a steep increase in bowel cancer incidence between ages 49 and 50, with most cases diagnosed at an invasive stage among patients 50 years old, specifically," he said.
In Australia, one in 14 men and one in 15 women will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime, but when detected early, about nine out of 10 cancers can be treated successfully.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the bowel cancer screening program, including its age range, was currently being reviewed.
"Anyone who is concerned about bowel cancer or notices changes to bowel habits should discuss this with their GP," he said.
"Free bowel screening tests are available to persons of any age at the discretion of their GP."
Early detection key
As a fit and healthy 37-year-old, Robbie Barnes was caring for his mother with breast cancer and keeping up with the demands of everyday life.
The Sydney resident shrugged off symptoms including blood in his stool, a change in bowel habits, fatigue and significant bloating that had crept up on him over time.
"The main thing is I lost about 17 kilos ... without really doing much to try to lose that weight," he said.
"Having it all off so quickly over about an 18-month to two-year period is a bit quicker than normal.
"I should have got checked up sooner."
When he went to his GP, Mr Barnes was sent to specialists straight away. After blood tests, an endoscopy and colonoscopy, they found a 61mm tumour in his bowel.
He has since completed six weeks of radiation and is now undergoing chemotherapy, before doctors plan to surgically remove parts of his bowel.
The treatment is expected to take 18 months.
Mr Barnes shared his story in the hope of inspiring others to see their doctor if they have even the slightest symptom, and to encourage the government to ramp up bowel cancer screening.
Why expand screening?
Bowel Cancer Australia medical director Graham Newstead said the country had almost the best screening program in the world but it was not perfect.
He said increases in bowel cancers detected in those aged below 50 and above mid-70s were increasing, while cancers in those aged 55 to 70 were less frequent because more polyps were being detected and removed.
One in 10 bowel cancers were found to occur in people aged under 50.
With Australia's ageing population meaning people are more likely to live to their mid-80s, Dr Newstead said expanding the program could catch more cases earlier.
One in 13 chance
General and colorectal surgeon Bradley Morris said bowel cancer had a one in 13 chance of affecting Australians in their lifetime.
"The causes can be multi-factorial, there are genetic dispositions, which is why family history is a very important consideration," he said.
"On an individual level, we know some broad causes, but determining a precise cause for most people is not possible.
"Many people don't have any risks at all."
He said health and lifestyle related risk factors included smoking, consuming increased amounts of red meat, processed food and alcohol, and being overweight or obese.
Dr Morris said symptoms included blood in a person's stool — which should not be dismissed as related to haemorrhoids without seeking medical care.
Fatigue and loss of energy, a persistent change in bowel habits for more than about two to three weeks, and a change in frequency, size, shape, colour or consistency of stools, were other symptoms, he said.
Dr Morris said in later stages, people could experience abdominal pain, abdominal distension, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Online quizzes
Cancer Council Australia has a national partnership with doctors.com.au, a platform aiming to increase preventative care by reminding current and new patients to see their GP, determine their risk for disease and to get checked if needed.
Lidia Nancovski co-founded the platform with her sister Lana and said the service focused on preventative health, helping people to manage check-ups, appointments and screenings.
"We develop quizzes so people can do a quiz to find out if they've got a higher risk profile ... and then we send them a recommendation," she said.
"It's determining their risk and also if they're in the age of 50 and up and we send them reminders to do the test."
The screening questions and recommendations were reviewed and approved by Cancer Council.
More than 80k lives could be saved
Cancer Council Australia chief executive Tanya Buchanan said by improving participation among the Australians already eligible for the bowel cancer test, 84,000 lives could be saved by 2040.
"What we're trying to do with this campaign is get six in 10 Australians doing the program when they receive the kit in the mail," she said.
"What we've found is actually most people intend to do it but don't get around to it.
"So that's why this campaign Get2it is encouraging Australians to take that kit, as soon as they receive it in the mail, pop it in the bathroom, set a reminder on their phone and just don't put it off, get to it as soon as it arrives."
This article is general in nature and anyone who is concerned about their health should seek medical advice from their general practitioner.
