A Fall in Cancer Death Rates and Improved Survival Rates for People Who Have Had Cancer

Media Release Thursday 5 August 2010 ______It’s time to Get Behind Bowel Screening Cancer survivor says next government must act on most common cancer in Greek community

Making bowel cancer screening available to all Australians 50 and over is the best investment the next Australian government can make in reducing the human and economic cost of cancer, according to Cancer Council Australia’s pre-election cancer plan.

The plan calls for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which is currently only available to three age groups, to be expanded to include two-yearly screening for all Australians 50 and over.

Being diagnosed with late stage bowel cancer last year has made Eleni Bernard from Dandenong North a passionate advocate for bowel cancer screening. Stomach cramps and mild constipation were the only signs Eleni had that something was wrong. It was only when the pain became unbearable that a trip to the emergency department revealed a large tumour in her bowel that required immediate surgery.

“One week after the initial operation, I was placed in an induced coma and my family told I may not make it. I would need more life threatening surgery. Complications meant that my entire large bowel had to be removed and I now have to wear an ileostomy bag for the rest of my life,” said Eleni.

At 57 Eleni missed out on a free at-home screening kit by two years – the current National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is only available to those turning 50, 55 and 65 before December 2010.

“After all I have been through and the effect bowel cancer has had on my life, it seems grossly unfair that me and five million other Australians over 50 are missing out on a free test simply because we were born the wrong year. I strongly urge the next Australian Government to give every Australian 50 and over the chance to find bowel cancer early,” said Eleni.

Participation in bowel cancer screening is significantly lower among those who speak a language other than English at home. As with other cancer screening programs, results from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program show that CALD communities have a significantly lower participation rate than the general community (13.7% vs 39.3%). Eleni, who identifies herself as Greek, is very keen to ensure people in her own community know about the importance of bowel cancer screening.

“Bowel cancer is the most common cancer in the Greek community yet people are too embarrassed to talk about it. I hope by sharing my story I will help remove that stigma and encourage everyone 50 and over to speak to their doctor about bowel cancer screening,” said Eleni.

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Ian Olver, said it had been six years since both sides of politics committed to introducing bowel cancer screening, when Julia Gillard was shadow health minister and Tony Abbott was health minister. Yet two terms of office later, the program – which could save 30 lives a week if fully implemented – consists of a one-off test only to people turning 50, 55 and 65, with no funding beyond this financial year.

“The lack of a comprehensive screening program for one of Australia’s most common and curable cancers is the biggest hole in our national cancer response. Expanding the program is the best national investment for immediately reducing Australia’s cancer burden,” said Professor Olver.

Cancer Council Australia’s election priorities, with detailed backgrounders, are available at www.cancer.org.au/policy/electionpriorities2010.htm

To support Cancer Council’s campaign for bowel cancer screening visit: www.getbehindbowelscreening.com.au

Media contact: Shona Clarke, 03 9635 5673/ 0415 992 565/ [email protected]