Clare Ganderton began the series of short information sessions with a presentation on the role of Rotary in establishing the National Bowel Cancer Screening test. Guidelines provided to Clare were that the presentation should be no more than 2- 5 minutes duration and be entertaining.
.jpg)
She advised that Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. Around one in 23 Australians will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime. Early detection can result in a much-improved prognosis. The BowelCare (formerly Bowelscan) programme was launched back in 1982 by the surgeon, Dr Bill Brand, in the Rotary Club of Lismore. Dr Brand decided he needed to do something to detect bowel cancer before it became life threatening. That was the start of the home testing kits. Eventually, the Federal Government introducing funding for a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) invites eligible people starting at age 50 and continuing to age 74 (without symptoms) to screen for bowel cancer using a free, simple test at home.
The Bowelscan programme offers the kits to anyone of any age for a low cost of $17.50, which includes the pathology testing and distribution of results.
Clare concluded her entertaining, but serious message by distributing home-baked "Poo" biscuits. Well done, mission accomplished!
