THE Rotary Club of Bridgetown together with Pharmacy 777 in Bridgetown and the Boyup Brook Pharmacy are working together to promote the low cost Bowelscan screening test throughout the month of May.
Colorectal cancer, or bowel cancer, is the most common internal cancer affecting both sexes in Australia and, although there may be no visible symptoms, it is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer-related death.
On average one in 19 Australian men and one in 27 Australian women will develop bowel cancer by the age of 75.
This cancer is mostly seen in persons aged 40 years and over and from age 50 years its incidence rises sharply.
It kills more than 5,000 men and women every year.
Bowel cancer is very curable if you catch it early, which is what the Rotary Bowelscan test kit is designed to do.
Test kits can be purchased for $12 from selected pharmacies throughout WA.
"Bowelscan tests are confidential and very simple to perform. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment," Local Rotarian Alan Wilson said.
The Rotary Bowelscan uses faecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening kits designed to discover blood passed from the bowel that is invisible to the naked eye.
People can use the test kit at home and return it to the pharmacy.
The test is then forwarded to Pathwest, where it will be analysed free of charge.
Kits must be returned to participating pharmacies by June 14.
For further information or to find a participating pharmacy, go to www.catchcancer.org.au.
