THE Australian Government has lowered the age of eligibility for its free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) to 45, unlocking access to the test kits to more than 1.6 million Australians.
These amended guidelines now allow people aged 40-44 to gain access to testing kits through their GP prior to receiving their first invitation to join the NBCSP once they reach the age of 45.
Funding to expand the program's scope was unveiled in this week's Federal Budget, with the new age window taking effect from 01 Jul.
Bowel Cancer Australia (BCA) said it is "thrilled that six years of intensive lobbying had finally come to fruition".
"We have been advocating tirelessly for the lowering of the screening age in response to the increasing rates of bowel cancer in younger people," said Bowel Cancer Australia CEO, Julien Wiggins.
According to the BCA, people aged between 40-49 account for 56% of new bowel cancer cases diagnosed and making up 64% of deaths in those diagnosed under the age of 50.
More than 1,700 Australians are diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer each year, with the number gradually increasing over the past three decades.
The recent Federal Budget announcement comes in the wake of updated clinical practice guidelines advocating for a lowering of the screening starting age.
This move has also been endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
"We thank our dedicated and passionate advocates for their ongoing support of our campaign, along with members of the recently established Parliamentary Friends of Bowel Cancer," Wiggins said. ML
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