Cancer Council Victoria recognises the key role that GPs play in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program by endorsing the program to patients and by managing patients' positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT) results.
Currently only 43 per cent of eligible Victorians complete the home screening (FOBT) test as part of the national program. You can find out how your area compares via the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) local screening data.
Resources for GPs and health professionals
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers resources to support the role of GPs in the program. Visit their website for information on:
- the role of GPs
- role of Practice Nurses
- supporting participation in your clinic
The website provides information about the role of colonoscopists and pathologists, clinical guidelines, and clinical resources.
Resources for nurses
The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association has developed a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program guide and webinar for nurses working in general practice to help nurses promote participation in the program.
The guide contains information on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, a conversation flow chart, and a How to complete an FOBT guide.
Access the resource or Webinar.
Waiting room resources
Cancer Council Victoria has a range of free resources available for your waiting room, including:
- Brochure, Finding bowel cancer early can save your life, A step-by-step brochure to completing a bowel cancer screening kit, available in English, Arabic, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Karen, Simplified Chinese, Sinhalese, Tamil and Vietnamese.
- Posters for waiting rooms to encourage people to complete the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kit.
- Posters and brochures specifically for the Aboriginal community.
Download or order the resources.
FAQs for GPs
Access our list of FAQs for GPs and health professionals.