Information

What is involved in a Bowelscan test?

You can use the Bowelscan Kit in your own home. For 2 days prior and during the test, avoid red meat. Simply collect smears from 3 separate bowel motions and return them to the Pharmacy or nominated Pathology Collection Centre. These will be sent for analysis which can detect microscopic amounts of blood in faeces. If blood is present, this may have come from a cancer in the bowel. You will be notified of the test result. Positive results will be sent to your nominated doctor who will contact you. Negative results will be notified by mail. 

What if the test is positive?

A positive result means a polyp or bowel cancer may be present. Everyone who has a positive result should have further tests to find out whether they have bowel cancer. Most will not have the cancer, but a few will, and early diagnosis will greatly improve their chance of cure. Remember that there is a 90% chance of cure if the cancer is found at an early stage.

Pathology is provided free by: Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology.

Over 40? You may be at risk! 

Further Information:

All inquiries about Bowelscan should be directed to the Program Coordinator:
if in Redlands, phone (07) 3286 3217
if in other places in Rotary District 9630, or Southern Queensland phone (07) 4635 3953
if elsewhere, or if you prefer email, then contact us

Please do not contact Sullivan Nicolaides for your results, or for Bowelscan or Rotary information.

Bowelscan is supported by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, in conjunction with over 300 Rotary Clubs, Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, pharmacies and a range of local sponsors with the support of the media.

In Australia, Rotary Club members distribute over 140,000 Bowelscan kits each year.

Over 5,000 people have tested positive for bowel cancer or polyps since Bowelscan began in 1983. Early detection has helped save lives. 

Protect Yourself

• Have an ANNUAL Bowelscan, especially if you are over 40 years of age.
• Do not wait for symptoms to appear – it may be too late.
• If you have symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

Major Risk Factors:

The risk of bowel cancer increases 3- 4 times if you:

• Have had, or have close relatives who had bowel cancer or polyps.
• Have an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Chrohn’s disease.
• If you have these risk factors, you should see your doctor from an early age

Other Risk Factors:

• If you are over 40 years of age
• Diet
• You are or have been a smoker
• You drink more than the recommended 4 standard drinks a day for males or two standard drinks for women

“your life may depend on it”

WARNING:

YOU MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS BUT STILL BE AT RISK. 

See your doctor promptly if you notice any of the following:

• Blood (either bright or dark red) mixed with mucus, either combined or separate from the bowel motion.
• Changes in normal bowel habits.
• Unexplained loss of weight.
• Persistent cramping or abdominal pain.
• Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel.
• General weakness, tiredness and breathlessness.

90% OF BOWEL CANCERS can be cured if detected early

THE FACTS:

• Bowel or Colorectal Cancer is a Cancer of the Large Bowel
• Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide after breast cancer.
• It is the most common internal cancer affecting male and female Australians.
• It is the second highest cause of cancer deaths, after lung cancer.
• It affects 1 in 18 males and 1 in 26 females in Australia.