A MULLALOO couple are encouraging eligible people to take up the opportunity to be tested for bowel cancer, following the re-commencement of a national screening program.
Cameron Roberts was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February last year, undergoing surgery to remove a large tumour.
Recently finishing his chemotherapy treatment, his wife Rhonda said she regretted her husband was not able to have access to the National Bowel Cancer Screening program that would have detected his cancer earlier.
“Fortunately my husband had a good prognosis,” she said. “But screening would have picked up his cancer at an earlier stage, leading to earlier surgery and would have lessened some of the trauma, pain and stress that he’s gone through over the last 10 months.”
The screening program had recently resumed after a problem with faulty test kits was rectified.
Cancer Council WA Education and Research director Terry Slevin said it was proven the testing kit could save lives through the early detection of bowel cancer.
He said the council were also calling for the State Government to fully implement bowel cancer screening for all Australians over 50.
“We know from research that half a million West Australians are missing out on a test that could help save their lives,” he said.
The one-off screening program is currently only available to 50, 55 and 65 year-olds.