Bowel Cancer Screening Participation Slowly Improving, But Uptake Still Low
19 Jun 2026
A new monitoring report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows the program has had a major impact as it approaches its 20-year milestone.
Since 2006, death rates from bowel cancer in people aged 50–74 have dropped by almost half. In 2025, there were an estimated 23 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 44 per 100,000 in 2006.
Associate Professor Joel Rhee, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Cancer and Palliative Care, said the fall in deaths is encouraging. He said this is likely due to screening, better awareness, and improved diagnosis and treatment.
The report also found strong repeat participation. Around 83.5% of people who took part between January 2023 and December 2024 returned when invited again.
However, overall participation remains low. During the same period, 6.4 million eligible Australians were invited to screen, but only 42% completed the test.
While bowel cancer rates in people over 50 are stabilising or falling, cases in younger people are rising. One in nine new bowel cancer cases now occur in people under 50.
In July 2024, eligibility for free screening was lowered from 50 to 45 years. People aged 45–49 can now request a free test kit.
More than 236,000 people in this age group requested kits, and 56.2% completed the test. About 4.7% returned positive results requiring further checks.
Associate Professor Rhee said further lowering the screening age is a complex issue that needs strong evidence due to possible risks and benefits.
He also noted that while mortality is falling in younger age groups, this cannot be explained by screening alone, as the expanded program is still new.
He said the main challenge now is improving participation rates.
He emphasised that general practitioners play an important role in encouraging and normalising bowel cancer screening among patients.
Bowel Cancer Screening Participation Slowly Improving, But Uptake Still Low
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) – National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Monitoring Report