Using the bowel cancer screening test
How to get a home test kit
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The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will automatically mail a home test kit to people who are aged 50–74 to the address they have listed with Medicare. First time screeners will get a kit within 6 months of their 50th birthday.
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People aged 45–49 are able to request a free test kit. After they complete their first kit, future kits will be sent automatically every two years.
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If you need help to order a kit, your GP may be able to request one for you.
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People aged 50-74 who don’t do the test will be invited again around their birthday two years later
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People who do the test and get a negative result will be invited again two years from the date of their previous test result.
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Visit the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program website for more information.
If you are eligible and have not received a home test kit, or the kit is damaged, lost or expired, call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701 or request a free bowel test kit.
How does the bowel cancer screening test work?
A bowel cancer screening test can detect small amounts of blood in the poo as a potential sign of bowel cancer, but it cannot detect bowel cancer itself.
Blood in your poo may be due to conditions other than cancer, such as polyps, haemorrhoids or inflammation of the bowel. The actual cause of bleeding needs to be further investigated.
If your result is positive for blood, you will be asked to contact your doctor, who may recommend further tests. This is usually a colonoscopy to help identify the cause of bleeding.
What is in the kit?
In your home test kit you will find everything you need to do the test:
- 2 toilet liners (to catch your poo so you can take 2 small samples).
- 2 collection tubes with collection sticks inside (containing a preserving agent to store your 2 samples).
- 1 ziplock bag with 2 compartments (to store your collection tubes).
- 1 Participant Details form (to be completed and submitted with your samples).
- 1 reply paid envelope (to post your samples back to the pathology lab).
How to do the test
Click on the images to enlarge.
Tips for doing the test
The bowel cancer screening test is easy to do and can be done at home.
- Set yourself a reminder for the days you will take your samples and place the test next to the toilet.
- Read all instructions before doing the test (home test kit instructions are available in 22 languages).
- Take samples from two separate bowel motions (poos) – this increases the chance of detecting tiny amounts of blood in your poo.
- Each sample should be collected as close together as possible – from two separate poos, on the same day, the next day or as soon as you can.
- If you make a mistake when doing the test, order a replacement kit by calling 1800 627 701 or by requesting a free bowel test kit
- Store samples in the fridge prior to posting – place the collection tubes into the zip lock bag provided to ensure privacy. Don't freeze the samples.
- Put the samples into the reply-paid envelope supplied in your kit – post it back as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of collecting the second sample.
- For help doing the test, contact the Test Kit Helpline on 1800 930 998.
Taking the samples as close together as you can, storing them correctly and returning them quickly for analysis will ensure that your result is as accurate as possible.
Note: There is no need to change your normal diet or stop taking any regular prescribed medications before doing the test.
When not to do the test
The bowel cancer screening test looks for blood in the poo sample, so don’t do the test if:
- you have haemorrhoids which are bleeding; see your doctor.
- you have your menstrual period. Wait for 3 days after your period before doing the test.
- there is blood in your urine or blood in the toilet bowl; see your doctor.
- you are having treatment for bowel problems.
- you are booked for a colonoscopy in the next few weeks or if you have had a recent colonoscopy.
