The campaign

Cancer Council launched its Get Behind Bowel Screening campaign in June 2009 in response to the current National Bowel Cancer Screening Program being limited to one-off testing for just three age groups.

Bowel cancer is Australia's second most lethal cancer after lung cancer yet nearly all cases can be cured if found early. It is 13 years since the Government's own expert medical body recommended all Australians aged 50 and over be screened for bowel cancer every two years. And it is almost five years since both sides of politics committed to phase in the screening program. Yet the program remains available as a one-off test only, restricted to individuals turning 50, 55 and 65. That means more than five million at-risk Australians are currently missing out on this life-saving program. 

Fully implemented, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is the most effective measure available to the next Australian government for immediately reducing cancer death in Australia. It has potential to save more than 30 lives per week. 

Since the launch of our campaign, more than 20,000 emails have been sent by constituents to Federal Members of Parliament, asking them to put bowel cancer screening on the health agenda. The fact so many of our supporters have taken the time to email their MP clearly demonstrates how important this issue is to Australians. And that's why the next Australian Government must make firm plans in its first budget to expand the program to include two-yearly screening for all Australians 50 and over.