Almost 60 per cent of Australians in the most at-risk age bracket are still choosing not to take part, with men and some of Australia's ethnic communities having the lowest participation rates.
The Australian Lebanese Medical Association, in collaboration with Cancer Council Victoria launched the Arabic Bowel Cancer Screening initiative which is funded by the Department of Health & Human Services (Screening and Prevention Services Unit), to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in Australia’s Arabic-speaking community by increasing participation in screening.
This initiative follows new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that indicates that Arabic-speaking Australians aged 50 – 74 are less likely to complete the Government’s free bowel cancer screening test when it is sent to their home. Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer. Yet, 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if found early.
Dr Walid Ahmar, National President of the Australian Lebanese Medical Association tells us more.
