Gastroenterology and hepatology
Bowel cancer screening
How the NBCSP immunochemical FOBT works and what a positive or negative result means in numbers, who should have colonoscopy instead, colonoscopy quality and surveillance after polyps, screening beyond 74, and the gaps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori people, including New Zealand's 2026 age change.
Tier 1Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) sends a free immunochemical FOBT every 2 years from 45 to 74. Participation is only about 42%.
- A positive test means colonoscopy. Nothing else, including a repeat FOBT, replaces it.
- Screening is for people without symptoms. Symptoms or a higher family risk mean colonoscopy, not an FOBT.
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Sources
- Cancer Council Australia. Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer: population screening (updated to start at 45) and risk and screening based on family historyAU/NZCancer Council Australia, 2017, chapters updated
- Clinical practice guidelines for surveillance colonoscopyAU/NZCancer Council Australia (NHMRC approved), 2018
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program monitoring report 2026AU/NZAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2026
- National Bowel Cancer Screening ProgramAU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard (2025)AU/NZAustralian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2025
- Bowel screening (health professionals), including the lowering of the starting ageAU/NZHealth New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, Accessed November 2026
- Gupta S et al. Recommendations for follow-up after colonoscopy and polypectomy: a consensus update by the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology 2020;158:1131-53US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, 2020
- Rex DK et al. Quality indicators for colonoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 2024;100:352-81 (joint ACG/ASGE)American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2024
- Corley DA et al. Adenoma detection rate and risk of colorectal cancer and death. N Engl J Med 2014;370:1298-306New England Journal of Medicine, 2014
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy