BOWEL cancer screening rates in Ballarat are clear above the state average, but Cancer Council Victoria wants to increase participation to save more lives.
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Cancer Council Victoria aims to have a 50 per cent screening rate among Victorians aged 50 to 74 in the National Bowel Cancer Screening’s free home test.
Ballarat has the fifth-highest screening rate in the state at 46 per cent with the state average at 39.9 per cent.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer of Australians but 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully with early detection.
Cancer Council Victoria estimates its awareness campaign could get 20,000 more Victorians screening for bowel cancer this year.
Symptoms can include: blood in bowel movement, weight loss, change in bowel habits or abdominal pain.