More than 30 communities across Australia will be encouraged to do their life-saving bowel cancer screening with a visit from the Australian Government’s Get Behind It! community roadshow.
At their home ground in Rooty Hill, The Western Sydney Wanderers and celebrity doctor Andrew Rochford launched the new interactive bowel cancer screening trailer that will travel to communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT raising awareness about bowel cancer screening and how it can save lives.
Western Sydney Wanderers players were out to meet fans and show their support for the screening program, with medical experts, bowel cancer survivors and the western Sydney community having the first walk through of the bowel screening trailer.
The roadshow will visit shopping centres, health centres and community events and festivals in areas where bowel screening rates are below the national average.
Visitors to the bowel screening trailer can learn more about the screening program, re-order their free tests, play games, take home screening reminder merchandise and meet bowel screening ambassadors such as Dr Andrew Rochford. The roadshow starts this Saturday 25 May in western Sydney and runs until September.
Over 90% of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if found early.
Bowel cancer is one of Australia’s most deadly cancers yet only 40.9% of the currently 6 million eligible Australians participate in the free program. Raising the participation rate to 60% will save 84,000 lives.
From 1 July 2024, Australians aged 45-49 can join the Program by requesting a free screening kit be sent to them in the mail.
For more information or to order your kit visit www.health.gov.au/nbcsp or talk to your healthcare professional.
Quote attributable to Western Sydney Wanderers CEO, Scott Hudson
“Over a recent five-year period more than 2,700 people in our Western Sydney community were diagnosed with bowel cancer yet only 35% of our community are doing their screening.
“We are thrilled to host the launch event for the 2024 Get Behind It! Roadshow and proud to partner with such an important free program that can save lives in our own community and beyond”.
Quote attributable to Doctor Andrew Rochford
“It’s important that we get out there and talk to communities about the importance of bowel cancer screening and being proactive about our health. Regular screening saves lives, and I strongly encourage eligible participants to do their test when it arrives in the mail and encourage the people you love to do the same.
“If you see the community event trailer out on the road, come and say hello, and find out how this simple and free test is saving lives.
For more information on the trailer route visit health.gov.au/getbehindit
