The new mass media campaign to promote Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was recently launched in NSW as part of a government funded national campaign.

With low participation rates, Cancer Council NSW hopes the campaign will act as an urgent call for more Mid North Coast locals to complete the free life-saving test.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that participation rates in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in the Mid North Coast are only at 40.3 per cent.

Roz Dreise, Cancer Council's Community Bowel Cancer Ambassador developed colorectal cancer in 1999 which ultimately required major surgery.

Nine yearly colonoscopies revealed polyps and ulcerative colitis.

2012 saw the cancer return necessitating an abdominoperineal resection. The surgeon advised Roz when she awoke she would have a non-reversible permanent stoma.

"My husband was shell shocked," explained Roz.

"This type of operation encroaches on your sex and personal life which requires considerable adjustment.

"However, I now swim, golf and have even been overseas managing the bag. We made light of it with the grandchildren when they asked "if you don't poo out of your bottom, where do you poo? With one remarking, it was like a little volcano!

"Bowel Cancer has long run in my family," stated Roz.

"My grandfather served in France and passed away from bowel and lung cancer at age 57. Father also developed bowel cancer in his 70s - so I can thank my dad for alerting me to the necessity for regular check-ups.

"My two sisters who have regular colonoscopies are cancer-free. However, my son Steven was told just before his 48th Birthday he had bowel cancer.

"Because chemotherapy caused peripheral nerve damage, my son, needing his hands for work, had his treatment adjusted to prevent this side effect.

"Cancer Council's information and support line - 13 11 20 - was extremely helpful setting up contact with a person who also had an ileostomy bag.

"Tthis service is wonderful for those living in the country areas where some services are not readily available," Roz said.

"I am really disappointed people don't use the Bowel Kits which can save so many lives," Roz said.

Bowel cancer claims the lives of around 100 Australians every week. If you or one of your loved ones is aged 50 or over, you're at higher risk of bowel cancer.

Tim Chapman, Community Programs Coordinator states, "The Australian Government commenced a phased-in roll-out of Australia's free screening program in 2006, with the final two age groups (aged 52 and 56) added to the program for the first time this year.

This means in 2019, people aged 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 will be sent the free Bowel Cancer Screening Kit in the mail.

From next year, free bowel screening kits will be sent on a two-yearly basis to all eligible Australians aged 50 to 74.

If you don't receive a kit, call the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Information Line on 1800 118 868 to see when you will or visit bowelcancer.org.au for more information about the bowel screening campaign.

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