First Nations communities encouraged to stay healthy and strong with regular bowel cancer screening

A new campaign featuring Gabbi Gabbi man Dr Joel Wenitong is encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to stay healthy and strong by doing a bowel cancer screening test every two years.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of bowel screening and increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The Australian Government program provides people aged 50-74 years with a free bowel cancer screening test every two years. Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and one of the most common cancers impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data (2018-2019) indicates that just over a quarter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (27.3%) participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, while a 2019 survey by the Cancer Council found nearly half of eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people surveyed weren’t up to date with any kind of bowel cancer screening.

Dr Wenitong says early detection, through screening, can help save lives and reduce bowel cancer rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Every year, around 15,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in Australia, and 90% of those could be successfully treated if caught early,” said Dr Wenitong.

The at-home test kit is sent to people at their Medicare registered home address once they turn 50. People who have not received a kit or need a replacement kit are urged to contact the National Cancer Screening Register by visiting www.ncsr.gov.au or calling 1800 627 701. Health professionals can also order a kit on their patients’ behalf through the register.



Dr Joel has a simple message for mob. “If you’re feeling hesitant about completing the at-home bowel cancer screening test – don’t. It’s simple, easy and free, and helps you to stay healthy and strong.”