Let’s Beat Bowel Cancer
January 24, 2012
THIS year Let’s Beat Bowel Cancer –
is launching FOBruary, a health
promotion campaign aimed at
reducing the number of deaths
caused by bowel cancer.
FOBruary calls on all Australians
over the age of 50 to have an
annual FOB Test (Faecal Occult
Blood Test) during the month of
February to screen for Australia’s
second biggest cancer killer.
Each year almost 5000 Australians
die from bowel cancer despite
research indicating that 9 out of 10
bowel cancers are curable, if
detected early. Bowel cancer often
has no obvious signs until it reaches
advanced stages.
During the month of February all
community pharmacists and their
staff are urged to encourage those
over the age of 50 to have a FOB
Test to screen for bowel cancer.
The test is easy, non-invasive and
can be done in the privacy of their
own home.
Currently, the government’s
National Bowel Cancer Screening
Program (NBCSP) invites one-off
participation from people turning
50, 55 and 65 – this approach
excludes about 5.4m Australians.
As the most commonly used
health service provider pharmacists
and pharmacy staff are ideally
placed to take an active role in the
delivery of preventative health in
Australia.
There are a number of bowel
screen FOB Tests on the market,
including the BowelScreen
Australia® Program iFOB Test
(immunochemical Faecal Occult
Blood Test). The iFOB Test is
recommended by the
Gastroenterology Society of
Australia for average risk,
asymptomatic patients over 50.
Consumers may visit
www.letsbeatbowelcancer.com.au
for info on how to purchase an iFOB
Test from participating pharmacies.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Jan 12To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 24 Jan 12
