CHARLOTTE Hassing is still in shock after being diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier this year, because her only symptom was fatigue.
Blood tests confirmed Ms Hassing, 48, had low iron levels, so her GP gave her a National Bowel Cancer Screening kit to complete.
“The test came back positive showing there was blood in my stool that wasn’t visible to the naked eye – it surprised me, but I still didn’t think anything major was wrong,” she said.
More than six million people aged over 45 are sent free bowel cancer screening tests each year in Australia, but the latest National Bowel Cancer Screening Program data revealed that of those, more than 3.6 million people failed to return their testing kit samples.
The tests are sent out every two years to people aged 50 and over, and if you’re 45 to 49, you can “opt in” to receive one.
Mater Private Hospital Springfield gastroenterologist Dr Sylvia Vigh said there was no doubt the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program saved lives.
“By the time people have bowel cancer symptoms like blood in their stool, stomach pain, fatigue, weight loss or changes in their bowel movements, it normally means the cancer has progressed,” Dr Vigh said.
“Around 90 per cent of stage one bowel cancers can be successfully treated if found early, so it’s really important for people to do these tests and, if they are positive, they should get a colonoscopy as soon as possible.”
In January, soon after her positive test, Ms Hassing booked in for a colonoscopy at Mater Springfield Private Hospital with Dr Vigh.
“When I woke up, I was told that I had cancer, and I couldn’t believe it, I’m still in shock about it and don’t really have any symptoms,” she said.
“I am now receiving immunotherapy treatment every three weeks until the end of the year, and I may also need surgery to remove about 20 centimetres of my bowel,” Ms Hassing said.
Around 15,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year and there are more than 5000 deaths, making it Australia’s second-deadliest cancer.
Australia also has the highest rate of bowel cancer in the world in people under 50, which now account for around one in nine cases being diagnosed.
Doctors are urging people to talk to their GPs and ask for testing if they had any concerns.
“Don’t wait, do the test and opt in as soon as you can, because it could save your life,” Ms Hassing said.
