People living in towns in the upper part of the Western Plains are increasing their chances of bowel cancer because the test kits fail when stored in higher temperatures, a group of medical experts has found. 

A recent paper delivered at the annual National Rural Health Alliance symposium said the policy of not delivering bowel screening tests to areas where the average monthly temperature is above 30 degrees means that towns like Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Bourke, and Brewarrina do not get access to the test for five months of the year.  

Lead author Dr. Joachim Worthington told the Western Plains App because the tests sit around on people’s shelves, particularly in the post where it gets hot, this reduces the accuracy of the tests; since 2009, the Government has adopted a "hot zone policy."  

"The uptake in rural areas is already very low for a preventable disease," he said, with the national average for bowel screening average is around 41% in the 50-74 age cohort and around 32% in rural areas. 

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides access to colorectal cancer screening kits for all Australians aged 50–74 and is successful in the early detection of colorectal cancer and the detection and removal of precancerous lesions.  

"Bowel cancer testing, one of the big success stories, saves thousands of lives every year, and so people in rural areas, first nations people, and people from lower socio-economic areas must take up this test" the lead researcher behind the "The 'hot zone policy' for colorectal cancer screening presents unique risks and opportunities for rural Australia" paper presented at the recent Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium said.  

 Dr. Joachim Worthington from The Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney. Image: Cancer Council NSW.  

Dr. Worthington's paper says that low screening engagement in rural and remote areas is "a complex issue, with stoicism, resignation, and a sense of self-reliance identified as factors limiting screening uptake. Additionally, individuals may not be able to attend diagnostic follow-up procedures due to lack of access".   

An estimated 15,713 Australians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) in 2022, leading to an estimated 5326 deaths—approximately 10% of all cancer cases and deaths.  

He notes that while it is "unavoidable" because the test kit cannot withstand high temperatures in transit, the hot zone policy "unavoidably contributes" to "inequities" in bowel cancer mortality rates by region and socio-economic status.  

Dr. Worthington says there needs to be targeted educated campaigns or mass media campaigns for regional Australia around the bowel screening test.

“Direct GP engagement can improve participation,” he said.  "Interventions held outside the screening months in Hot Zone areas are unlikely to be effective, as elevated participation rates typically do not persist beyond the duration of an intervention."   

"Interventions may also involve GPs, nurses, and community health workers assisting with the preparation of stool samples, circumventing the discomfort individuals report regarding storing samples in their home refrigerator. GP endorsement is a key motivator for screening participation".  

Cancer Council Australia is currently running a “Get 2 It” awareness campaign to encourage people aged 50-74 to complete their routine screening test. This mass-media campaign is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and incorporates targeted media for areas affected by the Hot Zone policy.