Bowel check chance

Lia Bichel
THE Rotary Club of Dandenong and three local chemists have joined forces to help people detect if they have bowel cancer.
Rotarian Trevor Harding says bowel cancer is quite common but can be cured if detected early.
“We are pleased to again have the support of the local chemists to distribute the test kits. Bowel cancer is a very aggressive cancer that kills over 5000 people a year, but it can be cured if found in the early stages,” he said.
“You purchase a test kit at the chemist for six dollars, take a simple sample then return it to the chemist. The sample is then sent to a pathology clinic for testing.”
Mr Harding said three people’s lives have been saved after doing the screening and detecting cancer.
“We may sell 200 kits over the month of May, but those three people that detected cancer from the screening and have gone through treatment are quite happy now,” he said.
Mr Harding said he believed many people did not conduct the screenings because they were afraid of the results.
“I think some people don’t want to know,” he said.
“Especially men, I think they are frightened of it and do not want to know what’s happening – but it’s more than important to keep an eye on your health.”
The Rotary Club of Dandenong is encouraging all City of Greater Dandenong residents to take the tests.
The kits are available from Terry White Chemists, the Dandenong Plaza, Dandenong Central Pharmacy corner Walker and Langhorne Streets and Chemist’s Warehouse Lonsdale Street Dandenong, due back by 28 May.
“It would be a terrific waste if people didn’t make the effort to be involved,” Mr Harding said. For more details contact Rotarian Trevor Harding on 9796 2960.