What is known?
Participation in Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) can enable earlier detection and treatment of bowel cancer, resulting in better outcomes. However, bowel screening participation remains low. This study describes small-area and broad geographical patterns in bowel screening participation in Australia between 2015-2020.
What is new?
This is the first study that examines how participation in the NBCSP (National Bowel Cancer Screening Program) varied across different small areas across Australia. On average, around 42% to 44% of people participated in the screening every two years. There was strong evidence that screening rates varied markedly between small geographical areas in Australia.
We noticed a general pattern that a lower proportion of the population in remote or disadvantaged areas participated in the screening program. However, this was not always consistent, with some disadvantaged small areas having screening rates higher than the Australian average.
What does this mean?
These results may help us to better understand the reasons for such variation in screening participation within broader categories of remoteness and area-level disadvantage.
Even though Australia has a well-structured evidence-based government funded national bowel cancer screening program, incorporating unique characteristics of specific geographical regions and their inhabitants is important when promoting bowel cancer screening.
Contact: Paramita Dasgupta
Reference: Dasgupta P, Cameron JK, Goodwin, B, Cramb SM, Mengersen K. Aitken JA, Baade PD. Geographical and spatial variations in bowel cancer screening participation, Australia, 2015- 2020, PLOS One, 2023 Jul 20;18(7):e0288992