Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Roads, and Minister for Regional Transport)—June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time to highlight Australia's second deadliest cancer. Bowel cancer claims approximately 101 lives each week nationwide, yet it is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers free at-home test kits to eligible Australians aged 50 to 74, aiming to detect the disease early when treatment is most effective. Despite this, participation rates remain suboptimal, with approximately 60% of eligible individuals not completing the test when they receive it in the mail. This underscores the importance of initiatives like the Cancer Institute NSW's "Do the Test" campaign, which runs through June to encourage higher screening participation. I encourage all eligible residents to participate in the screening program and to consult their healthcare providers about any concerns. Early detection saves lives, and by taking proactive steps, we can work towards reducing the impact of bowel cancer in our community.