Leigh Stoodley knows just how important it is to complete a bowel screen test.
The 59-year-old Koumala resident had a section of her bowel removed in 2015 and was back for an endoscopy procedure last year for investigation following positive bowel screen results.
On both occasions she experienced no symptoms or abnormalities prior to screening.
June was Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and Leigh is urging people not to ignore their free Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) bowel screening home test kit when it arrives in the mail from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
“I was 50 when I received my first test kit and I didn’t do it. I put it away thinking I would do it another day and then forgot about it,” she said.
“During a visit to my doctor I was asked if I had completed my test and I said I had received it but no I hadn’t done it.
“He said it was very important and that I needed to do the test. I completed a test and not long after I was notified with a positive result that required a colonoscopy for further investigation.”
All eligible Australians between the ages of 50 and 74 are invited by the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program every two years to do the screening test.
Leigh said after undergoing surgery on her bowel in 2015 she was nervous about what the colonoscopy in 2022 would reveal.
“Going into theatre and being in recovery was quite traumatic as I was afraid what the result would be,” she said.
“Receiving the news that some polyps were found but were non-cancerous was a huge relief for me and my family.
“I am now on five-year colonoscopy checks to keep on top of any changes.”
Gastroenterology nurse coordinator Tania Mattinson said the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting the early signs of the disease.
“Screening using a FOBT can detect blood from pre-cancerous polyps in the early stages of bowel cancer and when identified early, 90% of cases can be successfully treated,” she said.
“Regular screening is important, so take the free bowel cancer test – it could save your life.”
Leigh now encourages people to complete the test and monitor their health for any symptoms.
“It is a free service that’s not hard to do and, importantly, it provides early detection, please use it,” Leigh said.
By Mackay Hospital and Health Service
Tania Mattinson with Leigh Stoodley
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