Bowel cancer is recognised as a major health problem in Australian with approximately 80 people passing away each week from it. It is one of the most common of the internal cancers and rates second overall behind lung cancer as the common cause of deaths related to cancer.
The bowel makes up part of the digestive system, and helps the body process foods by absorbing water and nutrients. It is made up of three parts: the small bower, the colon and the rectum.
Symptoms of bowel cancer may include blood being present after a bowel motion, or difficulty or change of bathroom going habits. If detected at an early stage, bowel cancer is treatable, but currently most detection occurs at an advanced stage. If you have any health concerns at any time you should always seek medical advice immediately.
www.doctors.com.au lists health professionals near you.
Good news has arrived recently from the Australian Government in the form of extra and extended funding to the National Bowel Cancer screening program.
Currently people of the ages of 50, 55, 60 and 65 are invited by the Australian government to receive free screening. Now with an extra $95.9 million dollars of funding to be added to the program over the next four years, the ages of 54, 58, 64, 68, 70, 72 and 74 will be progressively added and invited to receive free screening. Estimates show that by the time the program is fully rolled out in 2020, four million Australians will be invited for the screening annually.
People of the appropriate age who have a Medicare card of DVA card are recognised as being eligible for the program and are invited to take part by mail. The testing part of the program is quite simple and easy to undertake, and can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
More information on Bowel Cancer and the National screening program can be found online at http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/bowel-about
If you have any concerns, www.doctors.com.au will assist you in locating a health professional near you.