Bowel cancer is common in Australia, with 1 in 23 people developing the disease in their lifetime. Almost 80 Australians die each week due to bowel cancer. Over 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if detected in its earliest stage. Screening can detect bowel cancer, but less than 40 per cent of cases are found early.

The national guidelines recommend that everyone from the age of 50 considered to be “average risk” should be screened for bowel cancer.

In Australia the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce illness and death from bowel cancer by offering people aged 50 to 74 years a free screening test to complete in the privacy of their own home. The Program has been gradually rolled-out,  and now all Australians aged 50-74 are invited to participate every two years.