Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer but when it comes to screening for the disease, Hunter residents rate among the worst in the State.
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The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (PHN) said the rate of participation in the screening program in their area, which includes Maitland and Newcastle, is far too low.
Across Newcastle 51,463 people were invited to participate in the screening program but only 22,217 took part.
In Maitland 7847 were invited with 3241 participating.
Hover over the columns to see how your suburb performed.
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness month and the PHN wants to dispel any fears Hunter people may have about screening for the disease.
Bowel (colorectal) cancer is Australia’s second largest cancer killer and yet one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. Lung cancer ranks number one.
Up to 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if detected early but sadly around 60% of bowel cancers detected across our region are not found early.
The cancer is diagnosed as regional or metastatic.
“This means the cancer cells break away from where they were first formed and travel through the blood or lymph system, and form new tumours (metastatic tumours) in other parts of the body,” said PHN CEO Richard Nankervis.
“Participation in population cancer screening programs is the single most important factor to reduce illness and mortality. What would really help reduce this burden of disease is for people across our region to complete and return the test kit that is mailed out by the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program,” Mr Nankervis said.
“Unfortunately across our region the rate of participation in the screening program is too low. We have many communities with screening rates in the low 30% range and the very best are only just over 50%.
“We know many people are reluctant to have a conversation around bowels. Too many of these kits remained unopened and ignored.”
Evidence supports the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program as the best model for population screening in Australia. The Program mails eligible 50 to 74-year-olds bowel screening kits to complete at home.
From next year all eligible people aged 50 to 74 years will be invited to screen every two years. Eligibility for receiving the National Bowel Cancer screening kit can be checked through the online eligibility calculator (www.cancerscreening.gov.au/eligibility).
Promoting cancer screening is one of many functions the PHN plays in identifying gaps in accessing health services and prioritising health needs for communities across the Hunter, New England and Central Coast region.
PHN is also encouraging people to speak to their GP if they have questions about bowel screening, particularly if they have a family history of bowel cancer.
