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 How Does Bowelscan Work?

Bowelscan is simply a chemical test for screening invisible (occult) blood in the stool, which if present may indicate a bowel cancer or polyp. However, there may be bleeding for other reasons, i.e., not due to a cancer. There may be a cancer present which is not bleeding, however 90% of Cancers and Polyps do bleed. In the early stages bowel cancers and polyps do bleed intermittently.

OCCULT BLOOD TEST KIT (Hemoccult II).
Kits are easy to use, come with easy to follow instructions, and are completed in the privacy of one’s home. 
The pathology card attached to the kit must be completed and signed by the person doing the test – if the pathology card is detached from the test kit the test becomes invalid.


Why Hemoccult II (Guaiac) test kit?
Hemoccult II (Guaiac) is the longest and most popular test kit on the market, used worldwide the US, UK, Europe, South America and Asia with many well detailed researches and trials documented. In the United Kingdom, a Guaiac FOBT is used by the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Hemoccult II was chosen by the Bowelscan Program as the most affordable test kit for all people in Australia.


 For People Doing The Bowelscan Test

COST OF KIT AND PATHOLOGY is $10.00 (notification of all results included). All kits are tested by an accredited pathology and all results are sent to our Bowelscan Medical Advisor, who in turn notifies each participant of their result.

Please read all information on the Bowelscan kit envelope and instruction sheet enclosed therein before proceeding with the test.

MEDICATION GUIDELINES
            • For SEVEN days before and during the stool collection period avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
              drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin (more than one adult aspirin a day).
            • Tylenol can be taken as needed.
            • For THREE days before and during the stool collection period AVOID vitamin C in excess of 250 mg a day
              from supplements, and citrus fruits and juices.
            • DO NOT take supplementary tablets containing iron.

DIET GUIDELINES
            • For THREE days before and during stool collection period AVOID red meats (beef, lamb and liver).
            • Eat a well balanced diet including fibre such as bran cereals, fruits and vegetables.


RETURN OF KIT FOR PATHOLOGY
All participating pharmacies are supplied with a Bowelscan collection bin for the duration of the program.  Completed kits are returned in their “Bowelscan Kit” silver lined envelopes to a participating pharmacy pathology collection bin.  All participants should personally place their completed kit in the pathology collection bin - do not simply hand it over to pharmacy staff.

LATE RETURNS 
DO NOT MAIL completed kits for pathology testing.  Persons wishing to return a kit after the pathology collection bin has been removed from their pharmacy should ring our Bowelscan Office, Phone:  02 4384 1485 to secure the return of their kit.  

We urge all participants to return their completed kit for testing.

RESULTS
Your kit will not be tested if the pathology card has been detached from your test kit, is not signed or is not completed correctly.  (Complete and sign your pathology cards before you start your test)

All results, both positive and negative are notified by our Bowelscan Medical Advisor.  In the instance of persons with a positive test, our Medical Advisor will also notify their nominated doctor.  Any further investigation or remedial treatment is managed by the participant’s own doctor.  Confidentiality is maintained at all times. No results are given over the phone.


NOTE
A positive test does not conclusively indicate a polyp or cancer. There are many other reasons why a test can be positive.  All positive tests should be investigated.

Rotary and its members are not engaged in the provision of medical advice or medical service to the public but we do encourage people with a bowel disorder to consult their doctor.