Frequently Asked Questions

The Australian Government has lowered the eligible screening age for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program from 50 to 45.

From 1 July 2024, you are eligible to do the screening test every 2 years if you are aged 45 to 74.

• People aged 45 to 49 can request their first free screening test by submitting a webform or by calling 1800 627 701.
• People aged 50 to 74 will continue to automatically receive their free kit in the mail every two years.

This change to lower the program’s eligible screening age comes off the back of recent updates to colorectal cancer clinical guidelines which recommend population bowel cancer screening be offered to people from the age of 45.

All eligible people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their doctor about getting a kit.

Your next test kit will automatically be mailed every 2 years after your last screening test is completed.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program’s target population is informed by the Clinical practice guidelines for prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer. These guidelines do not recommend a ‘one-size-fits-all’ population-scale approach to screening for people outside the target age range of 45 to 74. Instead, clinical guidance recommends talking with your doctor about screening options.

The risk of bowel cancer increases with age. If you are concerned about bowel cancer speak to your doctor. They may offer you bowel screening available via Medicare that can be completed every two years until you are eligible to join the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Alternatively, non-program screening kits are available for purchase at pharmacies or online

The guidelines do not recommend that the upper age limit of 74 be extended for population bowel cancer screening because the likely benefits do not outweigh the burden (number of colonoscopies and associated risk), compared with screening for people aged 45 to 74.

Whatever your age, if you have symptoms or a family history of bowel cancer, you should see your doctor.

If you don’t get a letter within 6 months of your 50th birthday, check that your Medicare details are up to date, and call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia and the risk increases with age. It affects men and women and is the second leading cause of cancer death.

Regular screening for eligible people aged 45 to 74 is important because bowel cancer can occur without obvious signs or symptoms.

If detected early, over 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.

Your risk of developing bowel cancer becomes greater:

• as you age;
• if you have had an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis;
• if you have had special types of polyps, called adenomas, in the bowel; or
• if you have a significant family history of bowel cancer or polyps.

If you have any of the above risk factors, seek advice from your doctor about the best approach to risk management and screening.

Testing for bowel cancer uses a simple, at-home test called an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT). This test looks for traces of blood in poo which are invisible and could be a sign of bowel cancer.

The Australian Government has lowered the eligible screening age for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program from 50 to 45.

• People aged 45 to 49 can request their first free bowel screening kit by submitting a webform or by calling 1800 627 701.
• People aged 50 to 74 will continue to automatically receive their free kit in the mail every two years.

Eligible people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their doctor about getting a kit.

Your next test kit will automatically be mailed every two years after your last screening test is completed. Learn more at www.health.gov.au/nbcsp.

The free test kit contains everything you need to complete the test. You need to collect a tiny sample from two separate poos. Then put the samples in the reply-paid envelope and mail it to a laboratory to check the samples for tiny traces of blood. You and your nominated doctor will be sent your test result within 4 weeks.

If your test result is positive, it does not always mean you have cancer. You should make an appointment to speak to your doctor about follow-up tests, usually a colonoscopy, to determine the cause of blood in your poo. If your test is negative, you will be sent another kit two years after your last screening test is completed.

The screening program is based on the in-home use of a faecal occult blood test (FOBT). The test looks for traces of blood in a sample of poo. Two samples are required. If you test positive, you should visit your GP to discuss your result. Your GP may refer you for colonoscopy for further investigation.

Bowel cancer can develop without any obvious symptoms. This is why it is important to do the screening test.

If symptoms do appear, they can include:

• blood in your poo, or in the toilet bowl;
• a recent and ongoing change in your toilet habits. This includes looser poos, very bad constipation and/or if you need to poo more often than usual;
• unusual tiredness or weight loss;
• stomach pain.

If you notice any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor.

A positive result means that traces of blood were found in your sample. Blood may be present because of reasons other than cancer, such as polyps or haemorrhoids, but needs to be looked into.

If you receive a positive test result, you will receive a letter asking you to speak to a doctor about follow-up tests. This is usually a colonoscopy.

People who have a negative result will also receive a letter and be re-invited to screen again in two years’ time.

If you have recently done a bowel screening test and have not received your results in the mail, you or your GP can call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 791.

If you have a significant family history of bowel cancer, it's important to talk to your doctor. Knowing who in your family had bowel cancer and the age they were diagnosed, can help your doctor assess your risk. It may also be helpful for your doctor to know if you have a family history of any other cancers.

You may have a significant family history of bowel cancer if:

• a close relative (parent, brother, sister or child) had bowel cancer at a young age (under 55 years); or
• more than one close relative in your family has had bowel cancer at any age.

It is important to know that more than 75 per cent of people with bowel cancer do not have a family history. If you have a significant family history of bowel cancer, it's important to seek advice from doctor on the best approach to risk management and screening. Knowing which of your relatives has had bowel cancer and the ages at which they were diagnosed can help your doctor estimate your risk. It may also be helpful for your doctor to know if you have a family history of any other cancers.

If you have lost or thrown away your test kit from the Program, you can order a free replacement kit by clicking on this link here.

You can also contact the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701. Have your participant number or Medicare number ready to speed up the call.

If you are aged 50 to 74 and have not received a bowel screening test kit, check that your Medicare details are up to date and call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701. Alternatively, you can reorder a test kit here.

If you are aged 45 to 49, you can now join the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program by requesting your first free bowel screening kit by completing a webform or calling 1800 627 701.

The program only collects test results from within Australia.

Visit the National Cancer Screening Register website to change your screening date. You can also select to not be part of the program while you are overseas.

When you return to Australia, you can start the program again at any time.