PEOPLE in Coober Pedy have the lowest bowel cancer screening rate but the highest rate of bowel cancer deaths.
The figures come as South Australians are being urged to be proactive when it comes to their bowel cancer risk.
Figures from the Bowel Cancer Atlas of Australia, which provides communities throughout the state with a snapshot of their health, show the Coober Pedy local government area has the lowest bowel cancer screening rate (18.8 per cent) and the highest rate of bowel cancer deaths (46.2 per 100,000).
The atlas, which includes updated data on bowel cancer deaths, screening participation and colonoscopies, also shows Victor Harbor LGA has the highest participation in bowel cancer screening, while Mount Gambier LGA has the lowest rate of rate of bowel cancer deaths (4.4 per 100,000).
The average age at death from bowel cancer in SA is 73.1 years.
Meanwhile, Bowel Cancer Australia is calling for action from federal, state and territory governments following research released as part of the 2017 Don't Wait Until It’s Too Late campaign.
Findings from the My Bowel Cancer, My Voice research revealed just under half of respondents experiencing symptoms (47 per cent) reported having a colonoscopy within the recommended 30 days following a visit to their general practitioner.
Despite its high incidence, bowel cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early enough, treatable forms of cancer.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late urges everyone to be proactive when it comes to their bowel cancer risk.
“South Australians need to be bowel aware and if experiencing symptoms such as bleeding in the bowel movement, severe abdominal pain or have a persistent change in bowel habit, they need to see their GP for further investigation as soon as possible,” said Bowel Cancer Australia director and colorectal surgeon Graham Newstead.
The World Health Organisation has suggested 80 per cent of patients whose cancers are detected early and receive timely diagnosis should undergo a colonoscopy within 30 days.
“We know that up to 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early,” Associate Professor Newstead said.
“However, early detection requires people with a positive screen or symptoms suggestive of bowel cancer to have access to the necessary follow-up procedure within the recommended timeframe.”
