A Pharmacy Based Bowel Cancer Screening Program

Did You Know? Bowel cancer kills more Australians each year than breast or prostate cancer (AIHW 2012 data)

What is BowelScreen Australia ® ? BowelScreen Australia ® is a pharmacy based bowel cancer awareness, education and screening program for the Australian community using a clinically proven, sensitive and reliable test It was launched as a collaboration between Bowel Cancer Australia and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, with the support of Enterix Australia* *Manufacturer and accredited pathology lab for the InSure ® test

What is Bowel Cancer? Bowel cancer is a malignant growth that starts in the bowel (colon / large intestine) or in the rectum It is a silent killer as often there are no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. This is why early detection is so important Most bowel cancers make their presence known early by leaking small (invisible) amounts of blood into the bowel motion

Risk factors Both men & women are at risk of developing bowel cancer The risk is greater for: People aged 50 and over Those with a personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis)

Signs & Symptoms Bowel cancer can develop with few, if any, early warning signs. This is why it is very important to screen when you have no symptoms If symptoms of the disease are present, these may include: Blood in the toilet A recent and persistent change in bowel habits General stomach discomfort Frequent gas or pains Unexplained weight loss If you have any symptoms that concern you speak to your doctor first

What is Screening? Screening is the testing of people to detect disease early before there are any obvious symptoms A bowel cancer screening test is a simple, non-invasive test to screen for bowel cancer The test detects tiny amounts of blood, invisible to the naked eye, in the bowel motion

Who Should Screen for Bowel Cancer? Bowel cancer screening is recommended for Average Risk Patients every 1-2 years These include men and women: 50 years and over With no symptoms With no personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps If you are under 50 years of age and/or have any symptoms that concern you or a family history of bowel cancer / polyps, speak to your doctor

What Does a Positive Result Mean? A positive test result does not confirm the presence of bowel cancer but it does indicate the presence of blood that may be invisible to the naked eye in the bowel motion You should speak to your doctor who will initiate further investigation This may include a colonoscopy 5% of positive results are diagnosed as bowel cancer 30% - 45% of positive results are diagnosed as pre-cancerous growth (removed during colonoscopy) The remainder of positive results may be diagnosed as other digestive health disorders e.g. Crohn’s disease, Colitis

How is BowelScreen Australia ® different to the Government Program? The Government’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers a screening kit to people who turn 50, 55, 60 or 65 only It doesn’t cover the ages in between BowelScreen Australia ® test kits may be offered for customers aged 50+ who are ineligible on the Government Program

How Can You Assist Your Customers? Offer BowelScreen Australia ® Program test kit Refer to local GP Gastroenterological Society of Australia guidelines Guidelines 1 for Bowel Cancer Screening - No symptoms & - 50 years and over & - No family / personal history of bowel cancer or polyps - With symptoms OR - Has family / personal history of bowel cancer or polyps

Which Test to Offer Customers? There are 2 types of bowel cancer screening tests Old Technology (Guaiac / Chemical FOBT e.g. Rotary Bowelscan Program test kit) New standard of care 1 No longer recommended 1 (due to inferior detection & participation rates) - Significantly more accurate - No diet restrictions - No medication changes New Technology (Immunochemical FOBT e.g. BowelScreen Australia ® Program test kit, Government Program test kit ) - Less accurate - Requires diet restrictions - Requires medication changes Gastroenterological Society of Australia guidelines

BowelScreen Australia ® Program Uses the InSure ® bowel cancer screening service Superior accuracy The BowelScreen Australia Program (InSure test) detects 9 /10 1 patients vs. Rotary Bowelscan test (Coloscreen/Hemocult II) which detects only 4/10 2 patients. NO faecal handling Unique long handled blue brush used to collect toilet water samples after each bowel movement. References 1-2 are available upon request

No medication restrictions No diet restrictions Easy and convenient to do at home Post samples in the reply paid envelope for lab analysis. Results are mailed directly to the customer and their nominated GP Customer service helpline

Reminder service Customers are sent an annual reminder letter, prompting re-screening and directing customers back to your pharmacy Rebate of $15.30 To be eligible the customer requires a pathology form from their GP which needs to be returned with their test samples to the pathology lab. The pathology lab (Enterix) will send the customer a Medicare receipt to make a claim Rebates between $22 – full cost of test Customer requires an official pharmacy receipt and a pathology lab receipt to make a claim. Rebates are dependent on the customers level of cover and health fund provider

Cost RRP of only $22.95 plus $16.50 pathology analysis fee paid upon returning the test card VS Cost of colonoscopy $1,250 - $2,000 Cost of bowel cancer treatment $23,000 Cost of 80 Australians dying from bowel cancer each week…?

Why Offer Bowel Cancer Screening in Your Pharmacy? “My dad has bowel cancer and has just found out he may have 18 months left to live. Bowel cancer screening can help create a future in which there are less families who have to witness their loved one go before their time, as I will.” - V. Cook

Using the BowelScreen Ausrtralia ® kit Follow the link below to watch a demonstration video on how to use the BowelScreen Australia ® kit. Instruction Video Click here