Cancer Council NSW welcomes the NSW Government's $17 million funding boost to expedite overdue endoscopy procedures and improve access to potentially life-saving diagnosis for people with a positive bowel cancer screening result.
Cancer Council NSW, Director, Cancer Prevention & Advocacy, Anita Dessaix said the investment was an important step towards addressing delays, following ongoing advocacy for timely and equitable access to colonoscopies.
"We have been advocating for action on colonoscopy wait times, reflecting the concerns Cancer Council NSW has heard from people experiencing delays in accessing this important follow-up care. We welcome the NSW Government's response and its commitment to improving timely access.
"Everyone deserves timely access to endoscopy procedures, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. This investment is an important step towards ensuring more people can access the care they need, when they need it."
Bowel cancer is Australia's second biggest cancer killer and one of the deadliest cancers in NSW. However, it is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when detected early, with more than 90 per cent of bowel cancers able to be successfully treated if diagnosed at an early stage.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program plays a critical role in detecting bowel cancer early and reducing deaths, yet participation remains low. NSW has the third-lowest participation rate in the country, with fewer than four in 10 eligible people completing a bowel screening test.
Cancer Council research shows that increasing bowel cancer screening participation to 60 per cent could save almost 84,000 lives nationally between 2015 and 2040, highlighting the significant opportunity to improve outcomes through early detection.
"Screening and early diagnosis can save lives. It is vital that people complete their bowel screening tests and that anyone who receives a positive result can access timely follow-up care," Ms Dessaix said.
People in NSW have been waiting, on average, three times longer than clinically recommended for a colonoscopy following a positive bowel cancer screening result. Timely follow-up is critical to identifying bowel cancer early and ensuring people can access treatment as soon as possible.
"Today's announcement and proposed next steps will help patients receive these important procedures sooner, now and into the future. We look forward to seeing the funding deliver timely and equitable access, beginning with those whose need is most urgent.
"Cancer Council NSW will continue to advocate for all people affected by cancer, working towards a future where everyone has the best possible chance of preventing, detecting and surviving cancer," Ms Dessaix concluded.
