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Cancer screening program a shambles
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is a shambles, with inadequate resources and funding and no clear plan for its roll-out in Victoria, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said today.“The Federal Government has grossly under funded this program by more than $400 million, severely hindering the implementation of this cancer screening program,” Dr Yates said
The National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines recommend that people over 50 should be screened (through a Faecal Occult Blood Test) for bowel cancer every two years and positive results followed up with a colonoscopy within 30 days.
“It has been 18 months since the Federal Government announcement of the funding and there is still no plan for Victoria.
“The Federal Government sees this program as a proven life saver but funding and resources have not been provided to ensure the full life saving potential of the program is achieved and patients are not caused unnecessary stress by unduly long waits.
“The government in Victoria has no facts on the wait for colonoscopies in its hospitals, so how can it properly resource the hospitals to achieve the NHMRC recommended timeframe.
“AMA Victoria members are already reporting extreme pressure on resources for colonoscopies. They are concerned our hospitals are unlikely to be able to cope with any increased demand as a result of positive FOBTs,” Dr Yates said.
“Currently Victorian doctors report average waits for colonoscopies of about 3 months, although there have been reports of waiting times of up to 6 months at some hospitals.
“Without adequate resources and funding, these unacceptable waiting times will only blow-out further when the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is rolled-out in Victoria,” Dr Yates said.
“Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Australia.
“A national screening program with only a 50 per cent participation rate for all Australians over 50 is predicted to save about 1200 lives a year.”
Dr Yates said while roll-out has begun in other states, Victoria is lagging behind. Because of inadequate planning, resources and funding, Victorians are missing out on the full life saving potential of this program.
“If the Federal Government is serious about this program, it needs to be properly funded and follow up colonoscopies provided in a timely manner,” Dr Yates said.
The first phase of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program involves an initial Faecal Occult Blood Test for those who turn 55 or 65 between May 2006 and June 2008. In Victoria, more than 6000 people are expected to test positive to the FOBT and require a colonoscopy.
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