THE Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Monitoring Report 2024, revealing a continued decline in participation, dropping to 40% from 40.9% in 2021.
Six million Aussies aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the free program, yet six in 10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.
"This is the second consecutive year of declining NBCSP participation rates since 2020, which is of concern, given the program's life-saving potential as 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early," said Bowel Cancer Australia (BCA) CEO Julien Wiggins.
In 2022, 64,932 participants (5.7%) received a positive result, indicating blood in their stool that required further investigation via colonoscopy.
Only 13.5% of these people received a colonoscopy within the recommended 30-day timeframe, down from 15.6% in 2021.
Waiting times varied between 133 and 197 days, depending on location.
"The opportunity for early detection is lost if a positive screening result is not promptly followed by a colonoscopy," added Wiggins.
BCA also welcomed a milestone in its campaign, with the NBCSP screening age lowered from 50 to 45.
Starting 01 Jul, eligible participants aged 45-49 can opt-in for their first free bowel cancer screening test (PD 16 May).
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