Notes on the data: Screening programs - Bowel screening

Total males/ females/ persons who participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), 2020 and 2021

Policy context: Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, is the third most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with around 100 Australians dying each week from the disease [1]. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, commenced in 2006, aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. If found early, more than 90% of cases can be successfully treated. Eligible Australians aged 50 (45 from 1 July 2024) to 74 can do a free test at home every 2 years [2].

References

Bowel Cancer Australia. Available from: https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/facts
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-bowel-cancer-screening-program

Notes: Where there are fewer than six events (between 1 and 5 invitees, participants) in an area, the data have been suppressed to protect confidentiality.

Geography: Data available by Population Health Area, Local Government Area, Primary Health Network, Quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage of area and Quintiles within PHNs, and Remoteness Area

Numerator: Males/ females/ persons aged 50-74 years who participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021

Denominator: Males/ females/ persons aged 50-74 years who were invited to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021

Detail of analysis: Per cent

Source: AIHW analysis of the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR RDE 14/01/2023).