Long 235 Day Wait for a Colonoscopy in Tasmania

Media release – Bowel Cancer Australia, 16 June 2023

Bowel cancer screening rate down | Colonoscopy wait times up for those with a positive screening result

The latest National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Report(i) (2020-21) released today, reveals participation continues to linger in the low 40s, falling to 40.9% (2019-20: 43.8%), and colonoscopy wait times exceed the recommended 30 days.

The latest participation rate (2020-21) is the same as it was in 2015-16 despite almost $20 million invested by the Australian Government in raising awareness of the NBCSP since 2019.

The wait time between a positive screening result and colonoscopy has increased in every state and territory, with participants waiting between 119 days in Western Australia and 235 days in Tasmania, depending on where they live (2019-20: 113-190 days).

Only 11,990 (15.6%) participants were recorded as receiving a colonoscopy within the recommended 30-day time frame following a positive screening result.

Bowel Cancer Australia CEO, Julien Wiggins said, “The opportunity for early detection is lost if not promptly followed by colonoscopy.”

“As so few participants are receiving colonoscopies within the clinically recommended time frame, questions need to be asked,” Mr Wiggins added.

Medical guidelines acknowledge wait times exceeding 120 days between the first healthcare presentation (for symptoms or a positive screening result) and colonoscopy are associated with poorer clinical outcomes.

The guidelines also state that colonoscopy should be performed as promptly as possible after a positive screening result to minimise the risk of psychological harm.

“We need to ensure participants are not left waiting for long periods after receiving a positive screening result, not knowing if cancer is present,” Mr Wiggins added.

According to the report, 6.1 million people aged 50-74 were invited to participate in the NBCSP in 2020-21 and 2.49 million tests were returned.

Of those who participated, 76,880 received a positive result. A positive result means blood was detected in the sample and further investigation is required via colonoscopy, within 30 days.

In Australia, over 15,600 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year.

1-in-10 new bowel cancer cases now occur in people under the age of 50, who are currently ineligible to participate in the NBCSP.

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer, claiming over 5,300 lives each year.

NBCSP participation rate (%) of people aged 50-74, Australia, 2008-09 to 2020-21.ⁱ

NBCSP participation rate (%) of people aged 50-74, by state and territory.ⁱ

Time between positive screen and diagnostic assessment, people aged 50-74, by state and territory, 2021, (days).ⁱ

(i) Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: monitoring report 2023, catalogue number CAN 154, AIHW, Australian Government.

Statement – Department of Health spokesperson, 16 June 2023

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The Department of Health encourages all Tasmanians aged over 50 to do their bowel screening test, with a free bowel screening test mailed every two years to people aged 50 to 74.

Tasmania’s participation rate for bowel cancer screening is above the national average and the equal-highest of any Australian state or territory. However, less than half of Tasmanians in this age group are doing the screening tests. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program kit can detect bowel cancer early, before symptoms appear, when more than 90 per cent of cases can be successfully treated. We urge all Tasmanians, don’t put it off, please do your bowel screening test when you get your free kit in the mail. It’s as easy as Poo.Poke.Post, and it could save your life.

For more information, contact our local bowel screening nurses at the Tasmanian Bowel Cancer Prevention Program by phone on 03 6166 8970, email at [email protected], or by visiting www.health.tas.gov.au/cancerscreening

The Department continues to work hard to ensure Tasmanians needing an endoscopy – including a colonoscopy – can access it sooner. The announcement of $38 million in funding to deliver an additional 22,000 endoscopies over the next four years includes the refurbishment and upgrade of endoscopy facilities at all four major hospitals.

We are also continuing to partner with private hospitals to increase the volume of outsourced endoscopies. This provides additional options for Tasmanians to access an endoscopy.

Statement – Rosalie Woodruff, Greens Health Spokesperson, 16 June 2023

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One of the key areas examined by this report is the time between a person’s screening result indicating the potential presence of bowel cancer, and them receiving a proper diagnostic assessment.

Tasmania is second only to the Northern Territory on the average wait time to receive this critical diagnostic test. Worse still, 10% of Tasmanians who require a confirmatory test for bowel cancer are forced to wait longer than 235 days – nearly two months longer than anywhere else.

It’s terrible to see Tasmania lagging the nation in the time it takes to test for bowel cancer after a risk has been identified. People’s lives are put at increased risk due to these lengthy delays.

Tasmanians clearly understand the importance of early identification of bowel cancer, which is why we have the highest participation rate in the country for the national screening program. But we’re being let down by government underfunding our health system, which doesn’t provide the required diagnostic tests as quickly as are needed.

This is an appalling situation, and further highlights the impact of the Liberals’ decade-long underinvestment in health.