Who is eligible for the program
You are eligible to do the free screening test every 2 years if you:
- are aged between 45 and 74
- have a green Medicare card or are registered as a Department of Veterans' Affairs customer
- have an Australian mailing address.
How do I get my free kit
- People aged 45 to 49 can request their first kit by submitting a webform or calling 1800 627 701.
- People aged 50 to 74 are automatically mailed a kit every 2 years.
- All people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their doctor about getting a kit.
Who should do the test?
Doctors recommend people aged 45 to 74 who have no signs or symptoms of bowel cancer do the test every 2 years.
Age is the biggest risk factor for bowel cancer, so even fit and healthy people should do the test.
The test is important because:
- it can find the early signs of bowel cancer
- bowel cancer can develop without you noticing the early signs
- over 90% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated if found early
- screening every 2 years can find it early and could save your life.
Find out about doing the test.
Do not do the bowel screening test if you have symptoms
If you have bleeding from the bowel, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing changes to your bowel habits, see your doctor straight away.
Learn about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
When the test may not be right for you
Even if you are aged 45 to 74 and eligible, talk with your doctor if you have:
- had a colonoscopy in the past 2 years
- symptoms of bowel cancer
- a family history of bowel cancer
- a personal history of bowel cancer or bowel disease.
Depending on your situation, you might be able to skip doing your next screening test or do a different test recommended by your doctor or specialist, such as a colonoscopy.
Manage your participation
Manage your participation in the program via the National Cancer Screening Register. This includes if you want to update your address, defer from screening or opt out of the program.
Self-serve at the National Cancer Screening Register participant portal, complete a webform or call 1800 627 701.
National Cancer Screening Register
Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer
Bowel cancer can develop without you noticing the early signs.
Early signs include:
- blood in your poo or in the toilet bowl
- changes in your normal toilet habits, such as:
- looser poos
- severe constipation
- needing to poo more often than usual
- stomach pain
- fatigue
- unexpected weight loss.
If you have any of these signs, it does not mean you have bowel cancer, but it is important to talk to your doctor.
The majority of bowel cancer cases occur in people aged over 45, but it can affect anyone. You should encourage family and friends to talk with their doctor if they are concerned.
Screening if you are outside the age range of 45 to 74
For people outside the program’s eligible 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. After discussing the benefits and potential harms, your doctor may recommend bowel screening available via Medicare. Bowel screening kits are also available for purchase at pharmacies or online.
People aged 40 to 44 can discuss screening options with a doctor who may offer screening with a bowel test funded through Medicare in the lead up to being eligible to screen with the program.
More information on the effectiveness, harms and benefits of population-based bowel cancer screening, is in the Clinical Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer.
Early onset bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is more common in older people, but rates have increased among younger people in recent decades. This is sometimes called, early onset bowel cancer, and is defined as people under the age of 50.
If you have concerns about bowel health, your doctor can assess your risk and recommend available screening options.
If you have any signs or symptoms, always discuss them with your doctor.
Resources
- Bowel Cancer Australia has a range of resources on early onset bowel cancer.
- Healthcare providers can learn about early onset bowel cancer via the Never2Young CPD series.