January 9, 2013
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will expand to include Gippslanders turning 60 in 2013 according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Previously the program only invited local residents aged 50, 55 and 65 years old to participate but a $50 million investment by the Federal Government is expanding the program to more people.
Mr Chester said the screening program helped to detect bowel cancer and dangerous pre-cancerous lesions.
“Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths throughout the nation with around 80 Australians losing their lives to the disease each week,” Mr Chester said.
“The screening program is the best way to detect the disease early and save lives with a direct focus on those over the age of 50.”
Mr Chester said more than 1100 suspected or confirmed cancers and more than 3300 pre-cancerous lesions were detected and removed from program participants between 2008 and 2011.
He has encouraged all Gippslanders who receive an invitation to participate.
“Gippslanders turning 60 this year as well as those turning 50, 55 and 65 will receive an invitation in the mail to participate in the screening program and I urge them to take the opportunity to test their health free of charge,” Mr Chester said.
“The program has already proven its worth as an effective tool in detecting bowel cancer and pre-cancerous lesions.
“Other residents concerned for their health or younger people who wish to undergo bowel screening should contact their general practitioner.”
Mr Chester said the program’s expansion will also include 70 year-olds from 2015 and from 2017-18 all Gippslanders between the age of 50 and 74 will progressively be offered screening every two years starting with those aged 72.