Overview
Initiated by the Australian Government in conjunction with all States and Territory health departments, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) has been designed to assist in the prevention and early detection of bowel cancer.
Between 2002 and 2004 a Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot Program was run throughout parts of Australia including Mackay. Following the success of the pilot program, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program commenced in August 2006.
Objectives
The objectives of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) are:
- To maximise the early detection of bowel cancer in the target population through Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) screening followed, as appropriate, by assessment colonoscopy provided through mainstream health services;
- To ensure equitable access to the Program for men and women in the eligible population irrespective of their geographic, socioeconomic or cultural background;
- To ensure that assessment colonoscopy services provided are timely, acceptable and appropriate and are undertaken in accordance with professional standards, for people requiring colonoscopy as a result of the Program;
- To maximise the benefits and minimize harm to the individual particularly in relation to assessment colonoscopy;
- To achieve high standards of program management, coordination, quality and safety, service delivery, monitoring and evaluation and accountability; and
- To ensure that the Program is implemented in a manner that is cost effective and will significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from bowel cancer.
Program detail
Following the May Federal Budget announcement, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will be continued with people turning 50, 55 or 65 invited to participate.
Invitations to participate and Faecal Occult Blood Test kits will be automatically sent to those eligible at their Medicare-registered address. Participants receive their test results in the mail. If the test result is positive for blood, participants are advised to contact their GP for follow up, such as colonoscopy. GPs receive a copy of all results if nominated by the participant.
Medicare Australia has established a NBCSP Register to issue invitations to participate in screening, and send reminder letters to those who have not completed their FOBT within 8 weeks, or to people with a positive FOBT result who have no record on the register of a GP consultation.
Involvement of General Practice is critical to the success of the NBCSP, especially their role in:
- Explaining the program and encouraging participation;
- Promoting the program through the display of promotional posters and information materials
- Answering questions regarding the FOBT;
- Referring participants with a positive FOBT result for further assessment;
- Discussing the symptoms and/or family history with individuals;
- Supplying data to the national register through completing the NBCSP Assessment Form; and
- Providing ongoing care of participants who ultimately proceed to treatment.
NBCSP in Queensland:
In Queensland, a number of steps have been made to ensure that Program participants with a positive FOBT result have access to high quality and timely assessment colonoscopy services. Additonal funding has been committed by Queensland Health to meet the demand for assessment colonoscopies generated by the Program that are referred to the public sector.
The capacity to provide these additional services is not evenly spread across Queensland. To maximise the availability of assessment colonoscopies, an Authorised Provider Model has been developed for the Program, which is currently being implemented in the public sector.
The Authorised Provider Model in Queensland involves:
- Designated facilities and authorised providers across Queensland Health
- Provision of timely assessment colonoscopies in designated facilities for Program patients following receipt of referral from their GP
- A statewide network of Gastroenterology Nurse Coordinators who provide care coordination and access to assessment colonoscopy services for Program participants
Any Program participants with a positive FOBT result who choose to have their assessment colonoscopy privately should be managed as per your usual referral arrangements.
For more information, please visit www.health.qld.gov.au/bowelcancer
Current news
- Following the May Federal Budget announcement, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will be continued with people turning 50, 55 or 65 to be invited to participate. The Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program will continue to provide colonoscopies within a timely manner to Program participants who have a positive FOBT and are referred to a Queensland Health designated facility. To find out more about the Program in Queensland, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/bowelcancer.
- Forms for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), including General Practitioner Assessment forms, are now able to be submitted electronically.
These electronic forms can be accessed through the NBCSP website at www.cancerscreening.gov.au in the Forms section.
- In response to requests from GPs, North East Valley Division of General Practice (Victoria) has developed a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Assessment Form template that can be integrated into practice the software suites Medical Director, Best Practice, ZedMed and GP Complete. This form will be accepted by the Register as all the information is included, and it is in the same order as for the official NBCSP stationary.
This was passed on by a Victorian counterpart, with advice that NEVDGP is happy for it to be distributed to any GP practices who may find it useful. Please feel free to pass this along to any of your practices.
The template and detailed instructions on how to upload it into the various practice software suites can be found at the following link: http://www.nevdgp.org.au/?content=14
Resources
QBCSP Contacts (HPOs, GENCs, Authroised Providers)
Australia’s Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot and Beyond Final Evaluation Report
National Bowel Cancer Screening Register – Free Fax Number: 1800 115 062
Contacts
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program1800 118 868
FOBT Helpline (Dorevitch Pathology)
1300 738 365
Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program
1300 766 927
Links
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Queensland Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Queensland Health
The Cancer Council Queensland
Feedback
Elise Gorman
Program Coordinator - NiGP and QUM
Email: egorman@gpqld.com.au
Phone: 07 3105 8300