Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance
Project Details
The Bowel Cancer Screening Alliance is a national research collaboration committed to increasing participation of Australians in bowel cancer screening.
The Australian Government provides a world-class National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. However, the number of eligible Australians participating in it is amongst the lowest in the world, 41% compared to around 60% for similar screening programs overseas.
BCSA is undertaking research to find ways to increase screening participation 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 20 years.
This first-time alliance comprises 13 institutes – interdisciplinary experts from epidemiology, screening, public health, general practice, multicultural health literacy, behavioural science, and digital technologies – working together to find solutions.
Project Summary
Through our research, we are aiming to identify which combinations of interventions increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, and in which segments of the population they are most effective.
Eligible Australians aged 50 and 74 are mailed a free test at home every two years by the NBCSP. After completing the test, they return it in a reply-paid envelope to the prescribed pathology lab. The participant and their doctor receive the result within four weeks.
To achieve our aims, we are conducting trials within the NBCSP which involve devising and testing novel prototype modifications related to the in-home test kits, then testing their effectiveness in increasing participation.
Current studies include:
- SMARTERscreen: Trial of patient SMS messaging in general practice to increase participation in the NBCSP
- Impact of a one-sample Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) on national bowel cancer screening
- Comparing the characteristics, performance and impact of the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in current organised bowel cancer screening programs
- Codesigning invitation materials for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Enhancing participation and engagement
- NBCSP participation amongst Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian populations
Learn more about the three steps in the BCSA research program, current studies and progress, the impact of findings from our research, and graduate research opportunities here: https://www.bowelscreenresearch.org/
Find a list of our researchers and staff here
Funding
BCSA has funding for five years through the National Health and Medical Research Council under the following schemes:
- NHMRC Synergy Grant (2022-2026)
- NHMRC Targeted Call for Research (2022-2024)
- NHMRC Investigator Grant (2021-2025)