BOWEL cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in Australia, but the good news is there is a simple and affordable test which can screen for the disease.
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Thanks to the Bathurst East Rotary Club, a Bowelscan test (a non-invasive way to test for the cancer) can be bought for just $12.
The test kits are available at pharmacies around the city, but time is running out – the 2014 Rotary Bowelscan program winds up this Friday, June 27.
Rami Edward, from Westpoint Centre Pharmacy, which stocks the kits, is encouraging people to take this health check.
“Basically, Bowelscan ... scans the stools looking for blood or other indicators of bowel cancer,” he said.
Just as women check for lumps in their breasts, men need to be proactive about their health, he said.
Brian Burke, a member of Bathurst East Rotary and the co-ordinator of the Bowelscan program, said the test was a way of finding problems early.
“Everyone over 40 should have a Bowelscan test every year,” Mr Burke said.
“In 2013, of the 1200 kits sold in the Bathurst district, there were nine positive tests compared to seven in 2012.
“Of those who tested positive, three were male and six female.”
Mr Burke said this year the National Rotary Bowelscan program will be using the new Ultimer Bowelscan kits from Germany.
“The cost of the kit is $12, which includes pathology testing and notification by letter of positive or negative results to all participants by Pathology West in Orange,” he said.
He said Bathurst East Rotary Club members had been collecting the kits from the participating pharmacies and Daffodil Cottage and forwarding them onto Pathology West every Friday.
Mr Burke said no dietary restrictions were necessary before the Bowelscan kit from Germany was used.
He said the kits were very simple to use, but all kits must be returned to the pharmacy by this Friday, June 27.
