Screening for Bowel Cancer Could Save your Life!
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Screening for bowel cancer and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
The National Health and Medical Research Council approved Clinical practise guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer recommend colonoscopy should be performed as promptly as possible after a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).
Following a clinical assessment of your patient, you may refer them for a colonoscopy, unless there is some contra-indication to this. It is not recommended that a positive result be investigated with a further FOBT.
All patients have the choice to be referred to a public hospital, a medical specialist practising in a public hospital or to a medical specialist in private practice.
When referring, you need to identify your patient as a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) participant by using the stickers provided or by noting the patient’s NBCSP participation in the referral letter. This will help with managing the referral and reporting back to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
Public colonoscopy referrals made to SA Health hospitals allow access to a timely and cost-free colonoscopy. Patients must be aware that there may be a small cost for the bowel preparation.
If you are not referring your patient for an assessment colonoscopy, send the GP Assessment Report form to the NCSR Register marked not referred.
Participant stickers are available from the National Bowel Screening Cancer Program website or call the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701.