As Australia remains on track to miss its national screening target, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is advocating for a change in approach - to leverage the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacy. 

Despite a target participation rate of 55%, according to the latest AIHW National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Monitoring Report 2025, there was marginal increase in participation to 41.7% (2022: 40%; 2021: 40.9%).

6.28 million Australians aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the Program between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, yet nearly 6-in-10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.

“The current approach isn’t working” Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. “Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening.”

“Community pharmacists know their community and their patients. They already play a key role in supporting patient health, including sensitive conversations and are well placed to help educate patients on the ease, reliability and importance of these lifesaving tests. 

“Community pharmacies also have a strong cold chain, which would mean a return to year-round testing and an end to the Program’s pause during the summer months.”

Julien Wiggins, Bowel Cancer Australia CEO said, “Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Yet if detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. 

“Mobilising other health professionals – like community pharmacists – to deliver and support screening will further encourage participation and helping the Program maximise its life saving potential.”

Jane Hoffman, Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer Ambassador lost her husband to Bowel Cancer at age 42. “Easier, more accessible screening and better public education are key to making sure more people get an early diagnosis. For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late,” she said. 

“Community Pharmacists having conversations with patients about screening and watching for early signs of bowel cancer will play an important role in normalising that conversation. Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist.”

Professor Twomey continued “On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service.”

Survival outcomes for bowel cancer are better the earlier patients are diagnosed. Despite the national screening tests being mailed to homes, a significant number of people do not complete the test.

Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients, but a large number are unreturned. 

“If Australia is going to achieve future targets, we need to make the most of trained healthcare professionals and existing infrastructure. An immediate step the government can take is to establish the screening working group, convening experts, industry, consumer groups, and healthcare providers to create a screening programme that can meet ambitious future targets” Twomey concluded. 

Medical guidelines state health care professionals could consider offering a screening blood test every two years for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 following a discussion about the benefits and potential harms. 

Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at community pharmacy. To find out more about this, as well as other services offered at community pharmacy visit www.FindaPharmacy.com.au.

As Australia remains on track to miss its national screening target, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is advocating for a change in approach - to leverage the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacy. 

Despite a target participation rate of 55%, according to the latest AIHW National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Monitoring Report 2025, there was marginal increase in participation to 41.7% (2022: 40%; 2021: 40.9%).

6.28 million Australians aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the Program between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, yet nearly 6-in-10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.

“The current approach isn’t working” Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. “Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening.”

“Community pharmacists know their community and their patients. They already play a key role in supporting patient health, including sensitive conversations and are well placed to help educate patients on the ease, reliability and importance of these lifesaving tests. 

“Community pharmacies also have a strong cold chain, which would mean a return to year-round testing and an end to the Program’s pause during the summer months.”

Julien Wiggins, Bowel Cancer Australia CEO said, “Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Yet if detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. 

“Mobilising other health professionals – like community pharmacists – to deliver and support screening will further encourage participation and helping the Program maximise its life saving potential.”

Jane Hoffman, Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer Ambassador lost her husband to Bowel Cancer at age 42. “Easier, more accessible screening and better public education are key to making sure more people get an early diagnosis. For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late,” she said. 

“Community Pharmacists having conversations with patients about screening and watching for early signs of bowel cancer will play an important role in normalising that conversation. Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist.”

Professor Twomey continued “On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service.”

Survival outcomes for bowel cancer are better the earlier patients are diagnosed. Despite the national screening tests being mailed to homes, a significant number of people do not complete the test.

Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients, but a large number are unreturned. 

“If Australia is going to achieve future targets, we need to make the most of trained healthcare professionals and existing infrastructure. An immediate step the government can take is to establish the screening working group, convening experts, industry, consumer groups, and healthcare providers to create a screening programme that can meet ambitious future targets” Twomey concluded. 

Medical guidelines state health care professionals could consider offering a screening blood test every two years for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 following a discussion about the benefits and potential harms. 

Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at community pharmacy. To find out more about this, as well as other services offered at community pharmacy visit www.FindaPharmacy.com.au.

As Australia remains on track to miss its national screening target, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is advocating for a change in approach - to leverage the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacy. 

Despite a target participation rate of 55%, according to the latest AIHW National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Monitoring Report 2025, there was marginal increase in participation to 41.7% (2022: 40%; 2021: 40.9%).

6.28 million Australians aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the Program between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, yet nearly 6-in-10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.

“The current approach isn’t working” Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. “Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening.”

“Community pharmacists know their community and their patients. They already play a key role in supporting patient health, including sensitive conversations and are well placed to help educate patients on the ease, reliability and importance of these lifesaving tests. 

“Community pharmacies also have a strong cold chain, which would mean a return to year-round testing and an end to the Program’s pause during the summer months.”

Julien Wiggins, Bowel Cancer Australia CEO said, “Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Yet if detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. 

“Mobilising other health professionals – like community pharmacists – to deliver and support screening will further encourage participation and helping the Program maximise its life saving potential.”

Jane Hoffman, Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer Ambassador lost her husband to Bowel Cancer at age 42. “Easier, more accessible screening and better public education are key to making sure more people get an early diagnosis. For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late,” she said. 

“Community Pharmacists having conversations with patients about screening and watching for early signs of bowel cancer will play an important role in normalising that conversation. Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist.”

Professor Twomey continued “On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service.”

Survival outcomes for bowel cancer are better the earlier patients are diagnosed. Despite the national screening tests being mailed to homes, a significant number of people do not complete the test.

Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients, but a large number are unreturned. 

“If Australia is going to achieve future targets, we need to make the most of trained healthcare professionals and existing infrastructure. An immediate step the government can take is to establish the screening working group, convening experts, industry, consumer groups, and healthcare providers to create a screening programme that can meet ambitious future targets” Twomey concluded. 

Medical guidelines state health care professionals could consider offering a screening blood test every two years for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 following a discussion about the benefits and potential harms. 

Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at community pharmacy. To find out more about this, as well as other services offered at community pharmacy visit www.FindaPharmacy.com.au.

As Australia remains on track to miss its national screening target, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is advocating for a change in approach - to leverage the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacy. 

Despite a target participation rate of 55%, according to the latest AIHW National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Monitoring Report 2025, there was marginal increase in participation to 41.7% (2022: 40%; 2021: 40.9%).

6.28 million Australians aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the Program between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, yet nearly 6-in-10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.

“The current approach isn’t working” Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. “Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening.”

“Community pharmacists know their community and their patients. They already play a key role in supporting patient health, including sensitive conversations and are well placed to help educate patients on the ease, reliability and importance of these lifesaving tests. 

“Community pharmacies also have a strong cold chain, which would mean a return to year-round testing and an end to the Program’s pause during the summer months.”

Julien Wiggins, Bowel Cancer Australia CEO said, “Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Yet if detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. 

“Mobilising other health professionals – like community pharmacists – to deliver and support screening will further encourage participation and helping the Program maximise its life saving potential.”

Jane Hoffman, Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer Ambassador lost her husband to Bowel Cancer at age 42. “Easier, more accessible screening and better public education are key to making sure more people get an early diagnosis. For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late,” she said. 

“Community Pharmacists having conversations with patients about screening and watching for early signs of bowel cancer will play an important role in normalising that conversation. Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist.”

Professor Twomey continued “On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service.”

Survival outcomes for bowel cancer are better the earlier patients are diagnosed. Despite the national screening tests being mailed to homes, a significant number of people do not complete the test.

Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients, but a large number are unreturned. 

“If Australia is going to achieve future targets, we need to make the most of trained healthcare professionals and existing infrastructure. An immediate step the government can take is to establish the screening working group, convening experts, industry, consumer groups, and healthcare providers to create a screening programme that can meet ambitious future targets” Twomey concluded. 

Medical guidelines state health care professionals could consider offering a screening blood test every two years for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 following a discussion about the benefits and potential harms. 

Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at community pharmacy. To find out more about this, as well as other services offered at community pharmacy visit www.FindaPharmacy.com.au.

As Australia remains on track to miss its national screening target, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is advocating for a change in approach - to leverage the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacy. 

Despite a target participation rate of 55%, according to the latest AIHW National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Monitoring Report 2025, there was marginal increase in participation to 41.7% (2022: 40%; 2021: 40.9%).

6.28 million Australians aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the Program between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, yet nearly 6-in-10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.

“The current approach isn’t working” Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. “Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening.”

“Community pharmacists know their community and their patients. They already play a key role in supporting patient health, including sensitive conversations and are well placed to help educate patients on the ease, reliability and importance of these lifesaving tests. 

“Community pharmacies also have a strong cold chain, which would mean a return to year-round testing and an end to the Program’s pause during the summer months.”

Julien Wiggins, Bowel Cancer Australia CEO said, “Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Yet if detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. 

“Mobilising other health professionals – like community pharmacists – to deliver and support screening will further encourage participation and helping the Program maximise its life saving potential.”

Jane Hoffman, Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer Ambassador lost her husband to Bowel Cancer at age 42. “Easier, more accessible screening and better public education are key to making sure more people get an early diagnosis. For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late,” she said. 

“Community Pharmacists having conversations with patients about screening and watching for early signs of bowel cancer will play an important role in normalising that conversation. Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist.”

Professor Twomey continued “On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service.”

Survival outcomes for bowel cancer are better the earlier patients are diagnosed. Despite the national screening tests being mailed to homes, a significant number of people do not complete the test.

Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients, but a large number are unreturned. 

“If Australia is going to achieve future targets, we need to make the most of trained healthcare professionals and existing infrastructure. An immediate step the government can take is to establish the screening working group, convening experts, industry, consumer groups, and healthcare providers to create a screening programme that can meet ambitious future targets” Twomey concluded. 

Medical guidelines state health care professionals could consider offering a screening blood test every two years for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 following a discussion about the benefits and potential harms. 

Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at community pharmacy. To find out more about this, as well as other services offered at community pharmacy visit www.FindaPharmacy.com.au.

As Australia remains on track to miss its national screening target, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is advocating for a change in approach - to leverage the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacy. 

Despite a target participation rate of 55%, according to the latest AIHW National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Monitoring Report 2025, there was marginal increase in participation to 41.7% (2022: 40%; 2021: 40.9%).

6.28 million Australians aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the Program between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, yet nearly 6-in-10 did not return their free bowel cancer screening test.

“The current approach isn’t working” Professor Trent Twomey, National President Pharmacy Guild of Australia said. “Australia needs to make the most of all its health professionals to increase early screening.”

“Community pharmacists know their community and their patients. They already play a key role in supporting patient health, including sensitive conversations and are well placed to help educate patients on the ease, reliability and importance of these lifesaving tests. 

“Community pharmacies also have a strong cold chain, which would mean a return to year-round testing and an end to the Program’s pause during the summer months.”

Julien Wiggins, Bowel Cancer Australia CEO said, “Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. Yet if detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. 

“Mobilising other health professionals – like community pharmacists – to deliver and support screening will further encourage participation and helping the Program maximise its life saving potential.”

Jane Hoffman, Pharmacist and Bowel Cancer Ambassador lost her husband to Bowel Cancer at age 42. “Easier, more accessible screening and better public education are key to making sure more people get an early diagnosis. For too many, like my beloved husband Marty, the diagnosis is too late,” she said. 

“Community Pharmacists having conversations with patients about screening and watching for early signs of bowel cancer will play an important role in normalising that conversation. Young dads like Marty might test earlier if prompted by a community pharmacist.”

Professor Twomey continued “On average people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks. Community pharmacies are open into the evenings and weekends, making them the most accessible frontline health service.”

Survival outcomes for bowel cancer are better the earlier patients are diagnosed. Despite the national screening tests being mailed to homes, a significant number of people do not complete the test.

Screening aims to detect early signs in healthy individuals. Those without symptoms of bowel cancer should consider being screened, with a test every two years recommended for those aged 45-74. These tests are currently posted to patients, but a large number are unreturned. 

“If Australia is going to achieve future targets, we need to make the most of trained healthcare professionals and existing infrastructure. An immediate step the government can take is to establish the screening working group, convening experts, industry, consumer groups, and healthcare providers to create a screening programme that can meet ambitious future targets” Twomey concluded. 

Medical guidelines state health care professionals could consider offering a screening blood test every two years for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 following a discussion about the benefits and potential harms. 

Tests for those aged 40-44 and 75-85 are available to purchase privately at community pharmacy. To find out more about this, as well as other services offered at community pharmacy visit www.FindaPharmacy.com.au.