Get Behind the Simple Test

MOST forms of bowel cancer are slow growing making it one of the most preventable and curable cancers, more than 90% of people with stage one bowel cancer survive and still more than 80% for stage two, yet in Australia it is the second highest cancer killer after lung cancer.

A simple $10 test can detect the earliest signs of bowel cancer and John Kevins from Scone Rotary encourages people to pick up a kit from the local chemist before the end of May.

It Saves Lives: Scott White and John Kevins recommend people over 40 grab the bowel screen kit before the end of May.

“The kit is only $10 and it includes the postage to send the sample, the pathology and a report sent back to you from the pathologist,” said Mr Kevins.

“During May we sell about 100 kits and of that only about two or three need further follow up, such as a colonoscopy,” he said.

“If bowel cancer is caught early it is a very good prognosis and the screening is fantastic it picks up cancerous cells in the bowel and is much simpler than a colonoscopy,” he said.

“Both of the pharmacies in Scone have the kits available during May so I’d encourage people to pop in an grab a kit,” John Kevins said.

Scott White, owner of Pharmasave Scone Chemist said he has seen first hand how the kits have helped local people.

“It has saved lives here, I’ve seen a few people who have had the test and had things picked up early,” said Mr White.

“And we have such great facilities here in Scone with the colonoscopy service, so follow up is straight forward,” he said.

“I’d definitely encourage everyone over the age of 40 to get a kit,” Scott White said.