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Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer treatment works best if the cancer is found early. It's the second most common cancer in Australian men and women - especially as you get older.
What are early signs of bowel cancer?
You know your own body best. If you notice that something has changed, check with your doctor. A regular checkup is a good idea as you get older. Ask your doctor about bowel cancer screening if you're 50 or over.
If you notice
see your doctor straight away. These things can be signs of other problems too - it's not always cancer. But they need to be checked to make sure.
I think bowel cancer runs in my family - what do I do?
If a close relative (parent, brother, sister or child) had bowel cancer before they turned 55, or if more than one relative on the same side of your family has had bowel cancer, then you may have a family history - but most people don't.
If you think you have a family history of bowel cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk of getting the disease and if you need regular bowel cancer screening.
Bowel cancer screening Screening tests look for markers of disease in healthy people who don't have any symptoms. The test used for bowel cancer is a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) - it looks for tiny amounts of blood in your faeces (bowel motion). We recommend that men and women over 50 talk to their doctor about doing this test.
Some people will be tested through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Who will be screened?
How are they contacted?
Eligible people will receive a pre-invitation letter followed by a package in the mail that includes
What if I'm not eligible?
Cancer Council South Australia encourages testing by FOBT of people over 50 years of age, every 2 years. To complement the National Program, Cancer Council SA is selling FOBT kits.
You can use the online CSIRO Bowel Cancer Screening Decision Aid to help you decide if bowel cancer screening is for you.
Talk to your doctor if you are worried about your risk of bowel cancer.
Find out more
Go to our Online library - Cancer types section
Read Adenomas (polyps) of the bowel and Bowel cancer
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Bowel cancer screening - Cancer Council Australia position statement |