Bowel cancer – Second largest cancer killer in Australia

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDJun 9 2010

Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

Top 10 areas of bowel cancer deaths

Bowel cancer incidence is rising at an alarming rate all over Australia. A new report shows that the highest number of bowel cancer deaths is concentrated in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The Spotlight on Screening report was commissioned by the National Bowel Cancer Coalition that looked into the deaths from this cancer for 670 local government areas across Australia from 2002 to 2006. Among the top 10 areas affected, Brisbane tops the list with 948 deaths, followed by the Gold Coast on 547 and Greater Geelong on 326. The report was released today during the Bowel Cancer Awareness Week.

The report suggests a widespread aggressive screening program to curb the rise. It recommends inclusion of the 5.4 million Australians who are not being screened for the cancer at present. The report emphasizes on the need for awareness and screening as the only tools to prevent this disease. According Bowel Cancer Foundation chairman Professor Graham Newstead thousands are dying from this cancer each year because of lack of government funding to support the screening programs. He points out that early diagnosis can save many lives.

Bowel Cancer Australia CEO Julien Wiggins says that it cannot be explained why certain areas seem to have more deaths from the cancer. But the fact is that place of stay is immaterial since this cancer has already emerged as Australia's second biggest cancer killer, claiming the lives of 73 people every week. Yet it is one of the most preventable and treatable of cancers. Bowel Cancer Australia is now encouraging all people over 50 to take a home-screening test using kits which are now available from pharmacies that costs $21. “The whole point of this (campaign) is to get people thinking about bowel cancer at a local level, and hopefully prompt them into action,” he said.

Cost factor & Plans for a free-for-all over 50

The cost of the kit may act as a deterrent for many he said. Thus the foundation is urging the government to provide funds for supplying free test kits at least once every two years for all Australians aged over 50. At present the test is available as a one-off test for people turning 50, 55 and 65, leaving a gap in screening for around five million people, Mr. Wiggins said. The extension of the screening program to all over 50 every two years will cost $131 million in the fist year, which would increase to $170 million, he said, but added that it could prevent as many as 2000 deaths a year. “Lives will only be saved with the full implementation of the program,” he said.

The Cancer Council has also revealed figures showing annual bowel cancer treatment costs will have increased to $1 billion across 10 years by 2011. The costs thus will have increased four-fold making the expansion of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program important. The council is urging both the ruling and opposition parties to make a pre-election commitment to make bowel cancer screening free for all Australians over 50.