Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (formerly Bowel Cancer Awareness Week) is well underway.
Now in its thirteenth year, the initiative aims to raise public awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 77 Australians every week.

According to Bowel Cancer Australia, the disease is the second most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia affecting both men and women almost equally and is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer.

The irony is that bowel cancer is also one of the most curable types of cancer if found early, which underpins the organisation’s call to action during this month – Saving lives through early detection.

Activities during the month of June are focused on promoting and encouraging people who are at a higher risk of developing the disease or experiencing symptoms to see a doctor and get checked.  People without symptoms are encouraged to take advantage of a BowelScreen Australia® screening test for bowel cancer prevention and early detection available in pharmacies.

• The simple and accurate test can be completed in privacy at home.
  
• Screening at least every two years can reduce your risk of dying from bowel cancer by up to 33%.
  

Julien Wiggins, chief executive, Bowel Cancer Australia said pharmacy provides a highly accessible option for people who want to screen for bowel cancer.
“Pharmacy is about ease and convenience combined with advice from a healthcare professional.
The test kits used by BowelScreen Australia® are about providing the most accurate kits on the market,” he added.

“While these test kits are available all year round, June is an opportunity to focus efforts on encouraging people to do something about screening.”

There are lots of options to Join the bowel movement!

Talk – help remove the embarrassment surrounding bowel cancer by talking with family and friends about signs, symptoms and testing.

Test – take a bowel cancer screening test, especially if you are aged 50 and over.

Tell  – share your family’s medical history with close relatives.

Like, follow and connect with Bowel Cancer Australia on Social Media for all the latest information

• Become a Fan of Bowel Cancer Australia on Facebook (BCAustralia).
• Follow Bowel Cancer Australia on Twitter (@bowelcanceraust).
• Connect with Bowel Cancer Australia on Google+ (Bowel Cancer Australia).
• Add a Bowel Cancer Awareness Twibbon(virtual ribbon) to your Social Media profile pictures

Share the importance of bowel cancer awareness in your workplace, club or among your friends by ordering an awareness pack or you can host your very own fundraiser.