Bowel cancer screening rate drops for first time in 10 years

Bowel cancer screening participation has gone backwards for the first time since 2014, falling to 41% of eligible patients in the most recent reporting period.
The screening rate among patients aged 50-74 fell by three percentage points between 2019/20 and 2020/21, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
GP and cancer researcher Professor Jon Emery said the COVID-19 pandemic had likely contributed to lower screening rates.
“We need to get a target of at least 60% participation rate — that has been the target for some time,” he added.