The national bowel cancer screening kit contains:
- 2 toilet liners (these liners are put into the toilet with the writing facing up to catch the poo)
- 2 collection tubes
- 1 ziplock bag
- a reply paid envelope, and
- instructions on how to do the test.
How to do the test.
Step 1 – Prepare
On one of the tube labels, write your
- full name
- date of birth
- date you take the sample.
Before collecting your sample, do a wee and flush the toilet.
Put the toilet liner over the water in the toilet bowl. The writing should be facing up.
If the toilet liner sinks, it’s still ok to take the sample, or you can request a new kit.
Step 2 – Collect
Do your poo onto the toilet liner.
Open the collection tube by twisting the green cap.
Scrape the tip of the stick over different areas of the surface of the poo. The sample only needs to be tiny – smaller than a grain of rice.
Put the stick back into the collection tube and click the lid shut.
Shake the tube up and down several times. Do not remove the stick again.
Flush the toilet liner and poo down the toilet.
Wash your hands.
Step 3 – Store and repeat
Place the tube into the ziplock bag.
Put the sample in the fridge. Do not freeze.
Repeat steps 1 to 3 with the second collection tube when you do another poo (on the same day, the next day, or as soon as possible).
Step 4 – Send
Complete the Participant Details form.
Write your name and address on the back of the Reply Paid envelope and sign the front.
Put the Participant Details form and the 2 collection tubes (in the sealed ziplock bag) into the Reply Paid envelope and seal it.
Take the envelope to a post office within 24 hours, or mail in the late afternoon (before 6pm) using an Australia Post mailbox.
The samples must remain cool, so do not leave them in a hot place such as a car.