Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 45 to 74 are being encouraged to prioritise their health and do their free at-home bowel cancer screening test through a new advert for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program’s Bowel Cancer Waits for No One campaign.
Fronted by First Nations comedian and campaign spokesperson Andy Saunders, the new television commercial is encouraging First Nations communities to stay in the game for you and your mob by making bowel cancer screening a regular part of looking after their health.
The campaign also features Lucy Allan, who has become a passionate advocate for bowel cancer screening in her community.
After losing her brother to bowel cancer at a young age, it’s a loss she believes may have been different if the cancer had been detected earlier.
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer for men and women.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have higher rates of bowel cancer, making regular screening particularly important.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides eligible Australians aged 45 to 74 with a free bowel cancer screening kit every two years.
People aged 50 to 74 will automatically receive a kit in the mail every two years, provided their Medicare details are up to date.
People aged 45 to 49 can request their free kit now, rather than waiting until they turn 50.
They can request their free at-home kit online ncsr.gov.au/bowel-test, over the phone on 1800 627 701, or with their health care professional.
The simple at-home test can detect early signs of bowel cancer before symptoms appear.
When bowel cancer is detected early, more than 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully.
For more information, visit www.indigenousbowelscreen.com.au
The TV advert is part of a partnership between the Australian Government and Cancer Council, developed by 33 Creative.
