Bowel cancer screening Perth
Bowel cancer screening test
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Level 3, Suite 302
44 Barry Marshall Parade
Murdoch WA 6150
We offer bowel cancer screening at our Perth clinic. A colonoscopy helps diagnose and screen for bowel cancer. Early detection is crucial, and Westside Gastroenterology can organise your test with no extra cost to you.
Bowel cancer screening Perth
What is bowel screening?
“Many people with bowel cancer don’t show symptoms right away. A colonoscopy is the best way to catch it early. Bowel cancer can grow quietly for years before spreading. Small amounts of blood might leak from these growths into your stool before you notice anything.”
Dr Callum Pearce
Gastroenterologist Perth
If you’re at high risk or have a family history of bowel cancer, your doctor might recommend a colonoscopy soon. Some believe everyone should get a colonoscopy at age 50. If not, the FOBT can detect tiny traces of blood in your stool. This test can’t diagnose cancer but shows if you need a colonoscopy.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) offers a free, simple test at home for people aged 50 to 74 without symptoms.
Bowel cancer in Australia
Importance of a bowel cancer screening test
Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. About one in 23 Australians will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. In 2019, over 16,000 people in Australia died from bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer can be successfully treated if caught early, but fewer than 40% are detected early. Research shows that screening with a colonoscopy or Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) can help reduce deaths from bowel cancer.
Gastroenterologist Perth
Colonoscopy after a positive FOBT
About one in ten people will have a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). If this happens, your GP will recommend a colonoscopy. A positive test doesn’t mean you have bowel cancer; only 1 in 30 people with a positive test will have cancer. However, polyps, which are harmless growths that can turn into cancer, are found in 40% of those who have a colonoscopy. Almost all polyps can be removed during the colonoscopy, which stops them from causing any harm.
If cancer is found during a colonoscopy, a surgeon can remove it later. Most cancers are curable this way. If not removed, cancers can grow and spread, becoming untreatable if left too late.
What to expect from a colonoscopy?
More details about what is involved with a colonoscopy are available here.
Colonoscopy at Westside Gastroenterology
About Westside Gastroenterology
We do colonoscopies at St John of God Murdoch Hospital, the Mount Hospital, and Peel Health Campus. These are great places for your procedure.
We are gap-free providers, so you won’t get an extra bill from our gastroenterologists. Your health insurance covers the cost.
If you have any questions or need to book an appointment, please call us or fill out our web form. We’re here to help.
Gastroenterologist Murdoch Square
Find us at Murdoch Square
Formerly known as Wexford Gastro, we have rebranded to reflect our new address while maintaining the same exceptional care and expertise you’ve come to trust.