What is involved in a BowelScan Test?

BowelScan is a test for invisible blood in the stool, which if present, may indicate a bowel cancer or a polyp that may be bleeding. Bleeding polyps often do eventually become cancerous. Detection of bleeding polyps leads to early diagnosis and more successful treatment. There may be a polyp or cancer present which is not bleeding and which will not show up in one test. Annual testing is therefore recommended for all men and women over 40.

You can use the BowelScan Kit in the privacy of your own home. 

During the test, simply collect thin smears from 3 separate bowel motions and return the completed kit in its envelope to any participating Pharmacy or nominated Pathology Collection Centre. These will be sent for analysis to detect microscopic amounts of blood in the motion. 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 either email or post.

Instructions for Kit Use

Detailed instructions are included in each kit by the supplier of the kits to Rotary in Australia, Helena Laboratories Australia Pty Ltd. Helena has offices in Melbourne, and their web site for the technically minded is at www.helena.com. Check out the catalogue to coloscreens.

Rotary in Australia has selected these kits for the Australian public to buy and to use as a very cost effective way of screening for occult or non visible blood in bowel motions. 

The test involves simply applying a thin smear of faeces onto a specially treated section of the test card for three consecutive bowel movements. Once the card is dry it is sealed and returned for professional analysis. The instructions are summarized here and you should follow the detailed instructions included in the kit.

Getting Ready

Two days prior and during the three separate motions, follow a red-meat free and high fiber diet. It is helpful to discuss the test with others if you share meal preparation and meals, and encourage all adults over 40 in the household to do the test while the household meals follow the recommended diet.

Diet may include well-cooked chicken, turkey and tuna but not red or raw meats. You should include lots of fruit and most vegetables except horseradish, cantaloupe, raw turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, red radish, and parsnip.

Include Cereal – Bran and cereals and other high fiber or roughage foods e.g. popcorn. 

However if any of these foods are known to cause discomfort, please consult your physician first. Do consult your physician before discontinuing any prescribed medication.

Avoid high doses of aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs for 7 days prior to and during testing, or Vitamin C in excess of 250 mg per day.

Do not collect specimens during menstrual period or when suffering from bleeding haemorrhoids or open cuts on hands. 

Using the Kit

The kit and an instruction sheet comes in a paper envelope that is also used to return the kit for professional analysis.

The test card has three Tabs marked on one side.  Write your name and phone number where marked, then open and complete the registration card including the name of your usual GP or Physician.

Taking the sample is not difficult. It simply involves taking a small sample of faeces after your bowel movement, and placing a very thin smear on the special card with the stick provided.

After completing the sample collection, add the dates of each collection and your signature, close the flaps and place the card in the outer envelope. Seal it and take it to any participating pharmacy or a Sullivan Nicolaides Collection agency for collection and testing.  Please do not post it.

Pathology Card attached to your Test Kit:

Your kit will not be tested if the Pathology Card has been detached from your test kit OR the Pathology Card is not signed. RESULTS cannot be forwarded unless the pathology card attached to the test kit is correctly completed.

Returning your Kit:

Check that your name, address, signature, doctor's name and date are filled in and return the kit within 14 days of using, and at the latest by 30 April.

If you change address before you receive the results, please contact us with your new address.
If you have a query, go to the Contact Us Page

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