FITNESS Family InvolvemenT in the National BowEl Cancer Screening Service
Illustration representing common concerns about bowel cancer screening

What are some of common concerns and questions about bowel cancer screening?

Would a healthy and fit person get cancer?

Even if you are living a healthy lifestyle, doing exercise regularly and eating healthy food, you might still have a chance of getting cancer due to genetics, family history and previous history with Colorectal Cancer (CRC) or inflammatory bowel disease.

What if I don't want to know that I have cancer?

Fear can stop many people from participating in screening, but early detection makes all the difference.

What are the benefits for family, community and society of participating in screening?

Looking after your health is a gift to your family, because your health is their happiness.

Take care of your health and participate in screening every two years, you can also help reduce potential healthcare costs for both your family and the wider community, and contribute to a stronger and more sustainable health system.

Where can I find screening instruction in my preferred language/s?

If you would like information on how to complete the iFOBT and in your preferred language, you are not alone. You can find the information in different languages here.

Also, you can ask your doctors for help.

What should I do now?

STEP 1

Obtain more information about the Program and how to complete the screening kit if you are unsure

What can I do if I like to know more about the Program?

Your parent is eligible for the Program if he/she:

  • is aged 50–75 years old
  • holds a Medicare card (Australian citizen, permanent migrant, or Department of Veterans' Affairs customer)

Check with your parent's GP:

  • for his/her eligibility
  • whether he/she is due for screening
STEP 2

Have a discussion with your parent who is eligible for the Program

What might families discuss?

  • Discuss whether your parents know about the Program and whether they have done the test
  • Encourage your parents to do the test, even if they feel healthy and well
  • Discuss why the test should be done in Australia rather than being done in 'home' country
Download topics of conversation (PDF)
STEP 3

If your parent has never received a kit, you can take a few actions

What can I do if my parent has never received a kit?

  • Contact the Program to request a kit for him/her either via a call on 1800 627 701 or fill in a form via this link
  • Ask your parents' GP to order a kit for him/her
  • Make sure your parents' home address is up to date in myGov
STEP 4

If your parent has received a kit, assist him/her to make a plan

What can I do if my parent has received a kit, but yet to complete the test?

  • Encourage him/her to place the kit somewhere he/she can see
  • Encourage him/her to set a message to remind themselves of the kit and do the test
  • Help them if they need to understand the procedure:
    • Ask them to check with their GPs during next visit
    • Ask them to use the link below to access instruction in their preferred languages
    • Explain the procedure to them if you have time
  • Explain to your parent that he/she needs to collect two tiny poo samples, and send back the kit/collected samples using the reply-paid envelope via post
STEP 5

Follow up with their GPs for testing results

What can your parent do after the collected samples being sent back to laboratory?

  • Wait for test result
  • If test result is negative, do the test again in two years when they receive the next test kit
  • If test result is positive, follow up with his/her GPs
  • Do the colonoscopy if his/her GPs recommend
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