Bowel screening can save lives
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program reduces illness and death from bowel cancer by detecting the early signs of the disease using a free, simple test that can be done at home.
Why bowel screening is important
Bowel cancer often develops without any symptoms. The cancer can grow in the bowel for years before spreading to other parts of the body.
Very small amounts of blood can leak from these growths and pass into your faeces (poo). These tiny amounts of blood are not noticeable just by looking – that's where screening comes in.
Screening can find tiny amounts of blood in your poo that may be a sign of bowel cancer. The good news is that if found early, over 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.
How the program works
The program is a population-based screening program. This means a test is offered to people in a target population group. The objective is early detection of the disease to improve outcomes. The program must provide more benefits than harms to the target population and offers screening to people without signs or symptoms of bowel cancer.
- People aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel cancer screening kit by submitting a webform or calling 1800 627 701.
- People aged 50 to 74 receive a bowel cancer screening kit in the post every 2 years.
All eligible people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their doctor about getting a kit.
Your next test kit will automatically be mailed every 2 years after your last screening test is completed.
You may receive reminders to complete the test via SMS if we have your mobile number. If you would prefer to get reminders in the post, follow the instructions in the SMS or update your communication preferences in the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) Participant Portal.
The NCSR supports the program by inviting and reminding people to screen. NCSR data informs public health policy and improvements to program delivery. Learn more about the National Cancer Screening Register.
People who live in hotter parts of Australia will receive their kits in the mail during the cooler months. This is because exposure of your collected samples to high heat can affect test results.
Learn more about the screening process.
About the free bowel screening test
The bowel screening test is an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT). It can detect tiny amounts of blood in your poo that can be a sign of bowel cancer.
You just need to collect 2 tiny samples from 2 different poos. Then mail them to the pathology lab in the reply paid envelope with the completed participant details form.
Watch a video on how to do the test. Read test kit instructions in 22 languages.
You and your doctor receive the results within 4 weeks.
Find out more about doing the test.
If the test finds blood in your poo, it doesn’t always mean you have bowel cancer. Read more about understanding your test results.
Who is eligible for the program
Lowered eligible age for bowel screening
From 1 July 2024, people aged 45 to 49 can join the program and screen for free. You can request your first free kit by submitting a webform or calling 1800 627 701.
You are eligible to do the screening test every 2 years if you:
- are between 45 and 74
- have a Medicare card and entitlement type of either Australian citizen, permanent migrant or registered as a Department of Veterans' Affairs customer
- have an Australian mailing address.
For people outside the age range of 45 to 74, clinical guidance does not recommend a ‘one-size-fits-all’ population-scale approach to screening. Instead, clinical guidance recommends talking with your doctor about screening options. Your doctor is best placed to explain the benefits and potential harms of bowel screening in context of your individual health situation. Your doctor may recommend bowel screening available via Medicare. Bowel screening kits are also available for purchase at pharmacies or online.
People with signs, symptoms, or a family history of bowel cancer, should talk with a doctor before screening with the program. Find out if the bowel screening test is right for you.
Manage your details
The program is supported by the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) which invites and reminds people to screen. We get your details from Medicare.
You can manage your details and participation by calling 1800 627 701 or you can:
- update your address
- update your communication preferences
- nominate a healthcare provider
- nominate a pseudonym
- appoint a personal representative
- defer your next screening date
- request to cease or resume correspondence.
For people leaving a relationship or living with violence or abuse. Visit Services Australia (Medicare) and learn how to keep your information safe when leaving a relationship.
Program frameworks
We deliver a program guided by research and best practice. Read about our policies.
Research, evaluation and reports
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) provides program data and monitoring reports on its website. These include:
We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Read our research and evaluation reports.
We asked Cancer Council NSW to model the possible impact of COVID-19 on our 3 national cancer screening programs. They examined a variety of scenarios and analysed the potential impact. Read their reports.
Contact
National Cancer Screening Register
Learn about bowel health
A healthy bowel is important for your overall health. Learn more about bowel health.
Cancer Council has information on how to reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer.
Other screening programs
We also have screening programs for breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about screening for cancer.