Analysis undertaken by the Daffodil Centre shows an additional 25,080 Victorians completed and returned a bowel screening test after people saw the campaign. This will help save an estimated 115 Victorian lives through early diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer over the next 40 years.
Modelling by the Daffodil Centre shows that this increase in bowel screening participation from people seeing the campaign will result in approximately 1,426 additional colonoscopies to follow up positive tests, resulting in an extra 585 precancerous lesions and 55 bowel cancers detected in Victoria in 2023.
The campaign featured the story of father of two Laurence “Laurie” Cronin, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer after doing the free bowel screening test.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death in AustraHowever, if detected early, more than 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.
Bowel screening is one of the most effective ways to detect the early signs of bowel cancer, but unfortunately, only 42.6% of eligible Victorians are participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Australians aged 45-74 are eligible to do a bowel screening test every two years through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Source: Cancer Council Victoria
For information about bowel cancer and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, visit cancervic.org.au/bowel.
People can order or reorder a bowel screening test kit by visiting ncsr.gov.au/bowel or calling 1800 627 701.
