Increasing participation in
bowel cancer screening

Our vision is for a healthier Australia, with more people participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Screening is vital as it enables early diagnosis of bowel cancer when most cases can be treated successfully. Unity is our strength with an Australia-wide multidisciplinary alliance of leading experts focused on research to address this major challenge.

Our story

The Australian Government provides a world-class National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. However, the number of eligible Australians participating in it is 44% compared to around 60-70% for similar screening programs overseas.

The Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance is undertaking research to find ways to increase screening participation by 20% to world-class levels. By achieving this, it is predicted an additional 37,000 bowel cancers and 25,000 bowel cancer deaths can be prevented in Australia over the next 25 years.

This first-time alliance comprises 13 institutes with multidisciplinary experts from epidemiology, screening, public health, general practice, multicultural health literacy, behavioural science, and digital technology research.

Latest updates
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CCQ BCSA PhD student
Media article
PhD student contributes to research of real-world impact
27th November, 2023
NBCSP kit photo
Media article
Screening most definitely prevents deaths from bowel cancer
6th September, 2023
Media article
Seminar Recording: Prof Berit Andersen
17th August, 2023
CI Mark Jenkins with consumers Heather Turner and Ian Dixon
Media article
Research Project: Impact of a one-sample FIT in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
28th July, 2023
Media article
Research Project: Comparing the characteristics, performance, and impact of the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
28th July, 2023
Media article
Recent Activities
24th July, 2023
NBCSP kit photo
Media article
Research Projects
22nd July, 2023
Research projects
Media article
Research Project: Codesigning Invitation Materials for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
22nd July, 2023
CALD stock image
Media article
Research Project: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Screening Participation Subcommittee
22nd July, 2023
Media article
SMARTERscreen
21st July, 2023
New research students at CCQ
Media article
New Research Staff and Students
21st July, 2023
Australia map stock image
Journal article
Geographical and spatial variations in bowel cancer screening participation, Australia, 2015–2020
20th July, 2023
Advisory committee logos
Media article
Advisory Committee Members
18th July, 2023
Image left to right: Professor Mark Jenkins, The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Professor Nancy Baxter
Media article
Launch of the Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance
13th June, 2023
Media article
Graduate Research Opportunities
27th April, 2023
Media article
New investment to prevent bowel cancer incidence and death
9th August, 2022
A profile of a female pathologist viewing a histological slide while sitting at a microscope.
Media article
Colonoscopy controversy highlights screening uptake problem
8th August, 2022
Journal article
What can we learn from high-performing screening programs to increase bowel cancer screening participation in Australia?
8th August, 2022
Journal article
Identifying modifiable features of home bowel cancer screening kits to facilitate use: consumer perspectives
7th August, 2022
Journal article
The impact of pre-notifications and reminders on participation in colorectal cancer screening – A randomised controlled trial
29th March, 2022
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Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne and our partner organisations
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