By Natalie Gallenti
A SIMPLE test almost certainly saved the life of Reg Eustace.
After receiving a bowel cancer screening kit in the mail, the Caroline Springs resident took a painless test and only a month later was in hospital having part of his bowel removed.
Had the father of two not received the kit as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, he might not be here today. Suffering no symptoms, he had not even thought of being tested.
“That was 18 months ago and now I’m totally clear.
“I did the test in the privacy of my own home and avoided all symptoms because it was detected so early.”
“I wasn’t going to get myself tested, there were no signs at all, but it saved my life.”
However not everyone is so fortunate.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Australia, after lung cancer, yet 90 per cent of cases can be cured if found early.
That’s why Mr Eustace is calling on the government to fund screening for everyone over the age of 50.
Currently the free test is only available to those turning 50, 55 or 65; because research shows that the risk of developing the disease rises significantly from the age of 50. But according to Cancer Council Victoria statistics this leaves more than five million Australians without the opportunity to detect bowel cancer when it is most treatable.
In Brimbank alone there are an average of 75 cases of bowel cancer each year and 28 deaths. Data shows that if everyone over the age of 50 was screened, more than 10 Brimbank residents could be saved each year.
Anyone interested in purchasing a test should contact their doctor or pharmacist or call the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20.
