RAISING the local participation rate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program has the potential to save hundreds of lives across the Mid North Coast.
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Cancer Council NSW is once again urging eligible local residents to participate in the screening program when their invitation or reminder letters arrive in the mail.
Over the past four years, the North Coast has seen only a 2.4 per cent improvement in bowel screening participation. This was the second lowest of all the NSW Primary Health Networks, falling well behind Nepean Blue Mountains (4.2 per cent) and only scoring above Western NSW (2 per cent).
"While the North Coast has one of the highest bowel screening participation rates in NSW, our disappointing improvement rate shows that we've lost momentum over the last four years," Cancer Council Community Programs coordinator Louise Jeffs said.
"With the easing of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, most people are still spending more time at home. There is no better time than now to take your bowel screening test that's been lying in a drawer for months.
"Just ensure your kit has not expired and if it has simply ring National Bowel Cancer Screening on 1800 118-868 or go to their website.
"Bowel cancer is Australia's second biggest cancer killer. Many people don't realise it kills more Australians each year than breast cancer, prostate or skin cancer. This is a scary statistic, but the good news is that over 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated if detected early.
"The test is quick, simple and you can complete it in the comfort of your own home. The screening test detects blood in poo, which can be a sign of pre-cancerous lesions and cancers in the early stages and often these don't have any symptoms.
"Raising the participation rates will save lives that would otherwise be needlessly lost."
A retired Coffs Harbour resident, Margaret Fisher, has been participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program for many years.
Unfortunately, to her detriment Margaret decided not to use the kits. It was only when she began to lose weight and lost her appetite that she visited a geriatric specialist.
On telling him her symptoms including the fact that she appeared to have eaten too much "liquorice" - her stools were black, she was sent for a scan.
Within 24 hours Margaret was operated on, followed by five weeks of chemotherapy and due to complications, a long stay in hospital. Without any immediate family, she was unable to return home.
Margaret was put in the Sub-acute Palliative Care Hospital in Bellingen, having been told she needed to look after her affairs as she was only expected to live for a couple of months.
Margaret is grateful to still be alive and would like to stress just how important it is to use the bowel screening kit.
Cancer Council research indicates that at the current participation rates, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is projected to prevent more than 92,200 cases of cancer and 59,000 deaths from 2015 to 2040. If participation increases by 50 per cent, an additional 24,300 cases and 16,800 deaths could be prevented.
"It is most important you participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Do the test - it could save your life," Margaret said.
From this year, free bowel screening kits will be sent on a two-yearly basis to all eligible Australians aged 50 to 74.
