ROTARY bowelscan kits are now available at pharmacies throughout the Hastings.
For just $12 you purchase a kit from a local pharmacy and then return the completed kit with specimen within five days to a pharmacy, from where it is sent to a pathology service for testing.
Port Macquarie Rotary bowelscan project co-ordinator Geoff Workman said he knew of at least two people locally who owed their lives to the kits.
“Bowel cancer kills more than 5000 men and women in Australia every year,” he said. “Ninety per cent of bowel cancer can be cured if detected early.
“That why we say that bowelscan is about catching cancer before it catches you.
“Rotary runs the campaign in May every year to promote regular screening from the age of 40 or younger for those with a family history of bowel cancer.
“The project has saved over 575 people with detected bowel cancer and many thousands more with polyps being removed since it started 28 years ago.”
Mr Workman said the 2014 kits were more sensitive, which meant more people would test positive and be advised to undergo further tests.
In addition to being available at pharmacies, kits will also be available from Rotary volunteers at Port Central and Settlement City shopping centres from Saturday 3 May until Saturday 10 May.
For more information call 1300 779 594, or visit www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au
