Smokers, those with lower levels of education and people from non-English speaking backgrounds are the least likely to be screened for bowel cancer, a study has found.
Newly released analysis of the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study involving 91,000 people found more than 76 per cent reported that they had been screened for bowel cancer before.
Of those study participants that were eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, 52 per cent reported having participated in it.
Screening participation was lowest in those living in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas, said Professor Karen Canfell, Director of Research at Cancer Council NSW.
"Also, we found that current smokers, people who did not attend screening for other cancers, those who had lower levels of education, people who did not speak English at home as well as those who self-reported poor health were less likely to have ever participated in the NBCSP," said Prof Canfell.
The research findings has led to calls for a large-scale mass media public education campaign to increase participation in the screening program.
Prof Canfell says previous studies have shown that even modest increases in participation would have an incredible impact on bowel cancer cases and deaths in Australia.
A simple stool check could save a person's life and people should not let embarrassment stop them from being screened, encouraged Prof Canfell.
"90 per cent of bowel cancers can be cured if detected early. Finding bowel cancer early can therefore substantially improve your chance of surviving the disease."
Share
