NBCSP - One Year On
Cancer Council Victoria 6 February 08
According to first year results, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is achieving what it set out to do - identifying bowel cancers at a highly curable stage.
The Medicare Australia Register reveals that two thirds of bowel cancers detected under the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in its first year are early-stage, for which high cure rates can be anticipated. This is in contrast to just one third of bowel cancers found over the same period among patients who experience symptoms before presenting for investigation.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program began in Victoria in January 2007. All Victorians aged 55 or 65, and those that participated in the pilot program, are sent a free Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) in the mail.
"We know that nearly all bowel cancers can be cured if found early enough, so the fact that the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is finding the majority of bowel cancers at an early stage is testament to its importance as a major health initiative," said Manager of Cancer Education Programs at The Cancer Council Victoria, Alison Peipers. "Our message to all men and women over 50 is to have a test, even if you don't have any obvious symptoms," she added.
The national register collates data from GPs, colonoscopists and histopathologists who are required to submit an assessment form for each program participant who returns a positive FOBT.
"General practice can have a significant impact on the success of the program, both in terms of patient follow-up and by encouraging those eligible to participate. In light of promising early results from the program, we are encouraging general practice to continue supporting this vital program so that in the future we will see even more lives saved through the early detection of bowel cancer," said Ms Peipers.
The Role of General Practice in the NBCSP
Encouraging participation among male patients
Currently, 21% fewer eligible men than women are participating in the program, yet 50% more men are returning positive results. Because incidence of bowel cancer is higher in men, general practice can play an important role in encouraging men to take up the opportunity to screen for bowel cancer.
Ensuring assessment forms are submitted to the register for each patient who presents with a positive FOBT
- Copies of the assessment form can be requested by calling the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Information Line on 1800 118 868
- A medical software compatible assessment form is available from the North East Valley Division website
- Assessment forms can be faxed to 1800 115 062
- Submission of the assessment form qualifies GPs for a Commonwealth information payment of $6.60
Spending time addressing concerns of patients who present with a positive FOBT
GPs can claim for longer consultations when a patient presents with a positive FOBT, under Medicare Billing System (MBS) item 36 Level C consultation.
More: National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
This article is available online at http://bddgp.org.au/article/2008/02/nbcsp-anniversary
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