New report confirms critical role GPs play in reducing the impact of bowel cancer

Cancer Council and the Australian Government are calling on Australian GPs to use their influence to raise participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) from 43.5 percent to 60 percent and save 84,000 lives by 2040.

Every year around 15,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in Australia, yet 90% of those could be successfully treated if caught early.

Professor Jon Emery, Herman Chair of Primary Care Cancer Research at the University of Melbourne said, "The faecal occult blood test (FOBT) used in the NBCSP, is a free, simple at home test and it's highly accurate.

"As GPs, we know early detection is important. Our job is to make sure our patients know that too and feel empowered to do the test," Professor Emery added.

Cancer Council CEO, Professor Tanya Buchanan echoed this, noting that, "GPs play a key role in saving lives. They can identify why patients are not participating in the NBCSP and help overcome these barriers."

"After the 2019 National Bowel Cancer Screening Program communications campaign, almost one third of eligible 50 to 74 year-olds surveyed (32%) reported that their GP had spoken with them about bowel cancer screening. More importantly, the majority (61%) of those discussed completing the test, which is evidence of the importance of GP endorsement of the program" Professor Buchanan said.

"Once people start screening, 80 percent will re-screen when they're next invited," reiterated Professor Buchanan.

Meanwhile, a new report from the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (Gascoyne, et al., 2021) has summarised available research and identified common barriers which prevent the 36 percent of eligible people who don't participate in bowel screening, from doing so—and how public health professionals can help patients overcome these barriers.

There were three distinct groups of lapsed or non-screeners including:

• Intenders (27%) who understand the importance of screening but live busy lives and can't
find the time to do the test
• Refusers (6%) who avoid bowel screening altogether, believing it's unhygienic, complex or
they fear a positive test result
• FOBT Naïve (3%) who are not aware of the NBCSP or the need to screen

These insights underpin the new National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Campaign, launched by Cancer Council and the Australian Government, urging Australians aged 50 to 74 to Get2it on bowel cancer screening.

The campaign aims to capture new participants as they reach their 50th birthday; to encourage those who are already eligible but who haven't previously done the test to do so; and to remind those who regularly screen to keep screening.

It includes resources specifically for health professionals to reinforce and remind Intenders of the importance and urgency of screening, reassure and motivate those who refuse to participate (Refusers) to do so, and educate and build trust amongst those who don't understand the NBCSP (FOBT Naïve).

For more information on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and to access resources for health professionals, or to order a free replacement test on behalf of your patient, head to www.bowelcancer.org.au/gp.

ENDS

More information:
Gascoyne, C., Ross, M., Ilchenko, E., Goodwin, B., Broun, K., Chew, M., . . . Durkin, S. (2021). Participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Research Insights Report. Prepared for: Australian Department of Health. Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved May 2022

Provided by Cancer Council Australia