Bowel Cancer: know the risk factors, act on symptoms, get screened You are here:HomeNewsroomNews Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in our country, claiming the lives of around 100 Australians every week. However, the good news is that it is also one of the most preventable cancers: if detected early, 90% of bowel cancers can be treated successfully. In Australia, people between 50 and 74 will receive from the National Bowel Cancer Screening program a test kit every 2 years. It is a free, easy four-step home test. If the results are positive, you would receive a notification and be advised to talk to your doctor about proceeding to a colonoscopy for further investigation. Watch our gastroenterologist A/Prof Robert Feller, who talks about screening, risk factors and symptoms.