Free bowel cancer screening extended to 1.6 million more patients
More than 1700 patients under 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, says Bowel Cancer Australia.
Patients aged 45-49 can soon request a free bowel cancer testing kit under Federal Government changes to screening age thresholds.
The new criteria announced in Tuesday’s federal budget will take effect from 1 July as part of a $39 million funding package for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia estimates that an additional 1.6 million Australians will be eligible to screen on an opt-in basis.
Those who opt in will receive a screening kit in the mail every two years thereafter.
