Bowel concerns
May 7, 2012
THE Government’s pre-budget
announcement may be sending
mixed messages about when to
screen for bowel cancer, according
to Bowel Cancer Australia (BCA).
Speaking on behalf of the
organisation, Julien Wiggins, Chief
Executive of BCA, said the only action
for bowel cancer screening, in this
year’s pre-budget announcement is
the addition of people aged 60 years.
“That means from next year we
will have a five-year screening
program for people at 50, 55, 60
and 65 years,” he said.
“However, medical professionals
and guidelines recommend
screening at least every two years
from age 50 - so 50, 52, 54, 56, 58,
60 and so on,” he added.
In a statement following the prebudget
release, BCA said that it is
disappointed that its consistent
calls for screening at least every
two years for people aged 50 and
over, have been ignored and that
there is no real indication of when
this is going to occur.
“Medical recommendations are
there for a reason and the
Government itself recommends
two yearly screening,” Wiggins said.
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