Far North residents urged to screen their poo in June

HEALTH



The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service is urging Far North Queensland residents to make ‘number two’ their number one priority.

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to raise awareness about Australia’s second deadliest cancer.

Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, with one in 13 Australians at risk of developing the disease in their lifetime.

Seventy per cent of diagnosed cases have no previous family history of bowel cancer.

The good news:

  • If detected early, up to 90% of cases can be successfully treated.
  • The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program promotes two-yearly screening for people aged between 50-74. This is a free, simple test that is mailed to eligible adults, to be completed in the comfort of your own home. 

The best way to reduce your risk of bowel cancer is to:

  • Be physically active
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Avoid smoking
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet
  • Keep a healthy body weight
  • Participate in bowel cancer screening.


For more information or to request a kit, please call the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program info line on: 1800 118 868.


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