Health Professionals -
national bowel cancer screening program (NBCSP)

What is screening?

Bowel cancer screening involves testing people without any obvious symptoms of the disease.

Bowel cancer can develop with few, if any, warning signs, but there is a 90% chance of cure if the cancer is found at an early stage. Because of this, bowel cancer screening can play an important role in reducing the number of Australians who die each year from the disease.

Bowel cancer screening is easy and can be completed at home. People aged over 50 years, without symptoms and without a strong family history of bowel cancer, are encouraged to do a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) every two years. By doing an FOBT every two years, you can increase your chance of surviving bowel cancer by up to one third.

More information about faecal occult blood tests >>>

What is the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP)?

The Australian Government's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program has been introduced to help detect bowel cancer early. Before June 2008, approximately one million Australians turning 55 or 65 between 1 May 2006 and 30 June 2008 will be invited to take part in the program. The program involves screening for bowel cancer by doing an FOBT. People who were involved in the pilot program (conducted in Mackay, Adelaide and Melbourne in 2002-04) will also be invited to participate.

Why is the NBCSP only inviting people turning 55 or 65 years of age to participate?

The program is starting with these age groups but will expand to include other ages over time. The results of the Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot Program recommended that screening be offered to people aged 55 to 74 years.

If a person receives a positive FOBT result, their doctor may advise them to do follow-up tests. One test is a colonoscopy. It is important that the NBCSP be introduced slowly to provide time to ensure that health services, such as colonoscopy services, are able to meet the increased demand. If all people aged 55 to 74 years throughout Australia were invited at once, health services might be overwhelmed by the demand for services.

The success of the NBCSP will be assessed in 2008 and a decision will be made on whether to extend the program to include more Australians.

What if I'm aged over 50 and want to screen but am not turning 55 or 65 before 30 June 2008?

If you are aged over 50 years, without symptoms and without a strong family history of bowel cancer, talk to your doctor about obtaining an FOBT for a small cost.

How does the government find NBCSP participants?

The names and addresses of people to be invited to participate in the NBCSP have come from Medicare Australia and the Department of Veterans' Affairs enrolment records.

How do I participate in the NBCSP?

If you are turning 55 or 65 years of age between 1 May 2006 and 30 June 2008, you will receive an FOBT in the mail. You will be asked to take samples from two separate bowel motions before sending the completed test back to the laboratory for testing. It is important that you do not give your test to other people to complete. If you know someone who would like to do an FOBT, you should advise them to speak to their doctor.

Will I have to pay to complete an FOBT received through the NBCSP?

There is no cost involved in completing and posting the FOBT.

If you have a positive result and need further tests, these tests will be free if conducted through the public health system. Tests performed in the private health system may incur costs, depending on the level of your private health cover.

When will I receive my invitation to participate in the NBCSP?

If you are eligible for the NBCSP, an invitation, including an FOBT kit, will be sent to you by mail between now and 30 June 2008.

For further information about when you will receive your FOBT, you can call the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Information Line on 1800 118 868 or email bowelscreen@medicareaustralia.gov.au.

Do I have to participate in the NBCSP?

It is your choice whether you participate in the NBCSP. However, participating in the NBCSP gives you free access to an FOBT, and screening for bowel cancer can reduce your risk of dying from bowel cancer by up to one third.

If you choose not to participate in the NBCSP, you can officially opt-off by calling NBCSP Information Line on 1800 118 868 or completing the opt-off/suspend form included in the information booklet sent with your FOBT. You can rejoin the NBCSP at any time before 30 June 2008 by calling the NBCSP Information Line.

I am eligible for the NBCSP, but think I have symptoms of bowel cancer or a strong family history. What should I do?

If you think you may have symptoms of bowel cancer or a strong family history, it is important that you speak to your doctor as soon as possible rather than participating in the screening program. Your doctor will be able to provide you with advice on what you should do.

I have an existing bowel condition. Should I still participate in the NBCSP?

You should suspend your participation in the NBCSP if you:

* Have had a bowel condition in the last 12 months which is currently under treatment; or
* Have had a colonoscopy within the last year; or
* Are booked in for a colonoscopy within the next few weeks.

If you are unsure about whether you should participate in the NBCSP, you should speak to your doctor.

By suspending your NBCSP involvement, you will ensure you are invited to participate in the future, should the NBCSP be expanded following the 2008 evaluation. Suspending your participation will also mean you don't receive unnecessary reminder letters.

You can suspend NBCSP participation by calling 1800 118 868 or by completing the reply paid opt-off/suspend form included in the back of the information booklet provided with your FOBT test.

What happens after I mail my FOBT to the laboratory?

After testing your samples, the laboratory will send your result to you, your doctor (if you provided one on the Participants Details Form) and also to the NBCSP Register (a confidential register administered by Medicare Australia). You should receive your result approximately two weeks after you sent the completed FOBT to the pathology laboratory.

What should I do if I don't receive my results?

Information from the NBCSP indicates results should be received approximately two weeks after you send the completed FOBT to the pathology laboratory. If you have not received your results after three weeks, you should contact the NBCSP Register by calling the NBCSP Information Line on 1800 118 868.

What will my result be?

Your result will be either 'positive' or 'negative.'

What is a negative result?

Negative FOBTs do not mean that you do not have, or can never develop, bowel cancer, as some bowel cancers only bleed every now and then. If no blood is found you should do the test again in two years. In the meantime, see your doctor if you notice any sign of blood or symptoms of bowel cancer.

What is a positive result?

There could be several reasons for finding blood in a bowel motion that may not be related to bowel cancer, for example, bleeding from piles, menstrual blood, etc. If blood is found, it is important to speak to your doctor about follow-up tests to check for early bowel cancer or polyps.

Remember, 90% of bowel cancers are curable if found at an early stage.

You should make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss the result and any further tests that may be required, if possible, within two weeks. If the NBCSP Register has no record of you having seen your doctor within eight weeks of receiving your positive result, the Register will call you and your doctor, or send you and your doctor a letter reminding you to visit your doctor to discuss the result.

The most common follow-up test for a positive FOBT result is a colonoscopy.

More information about colonoscopies >>>

Where can I find more information about the NBCSP?

Some National Bowel Cancer Information on this website has been sourced from the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing. For more information about the program visit their website.