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 Cancer 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.

FOR PEOPLE DOING THE ROTARY BOWELSCAN TEST

COST OF KIT AND PATHOLOGY  is between $8.00 and $10.00  (notification of all results included).  All kits are tested by an accredited pathology and all results are sent to our Bowelscan Medical Coordinator, who in turn advises 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:  Do not cease any Prescribed Medication:  Avoid more than one adult aspirin per day.

DIET INSTRUCTIONS:
For Three days before and during stool collection period:
     NO RED MEAT – only pork, chicken and fish are allowed
     VITAMIN C should not exceed 250mg per day (from all sources, dietary and supplemental)
     DO NOT take supplementary tablets containing  IRON

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 patholoby 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.

All results, both positive and negative are advised by our Bowelscan Medical Coordinator.  In the instance of persons with a positive test, our Medical Coordinator will also advise 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.