Yet only 36 per cent of over-50s are taking part in the Government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which is the easiest way to detect our second biggest cancer killer.
Why? We had Etienne Reiss, National Sales and Marketing Manager at Clinical Genomics (pictured inset), on the radio show with Annie and Jill last Sunday.
He tells us that many people – especially women – are reluctant to get their hands ‘dirty’. The test, which is offered free to people aged 50 to 74, involves collecting a faeces sample.
But there is a solution according to Etienne. Clinical Genomics has created its own bowel screening test – no poo involved!
A less ‘messy’ option
Their ColoVantage kit detects blood in the stool using a sample brush to test the water in the toilet bowl. It’s available at a number of pharmacies, plus through BowelScreen Australia and the ColoVantage website.
It does cost $39.95 – but if you don’t like the ‘yuck factor’, it’s worth it for the peace of mind.
Etienne also encourages people to know the risk factors for bowel cancer and talk to their GP if they have a family history.
Sounds like good advice to us.
You can listen to the podcast of our interview with Etienne below.
