Practice Nurses

THE FACTS!

The Cancer Council Victoria is urging GPs to submit an assessment form to the National Register for each patient who returns a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) result.

"While bowel cancer is 90% curable if detected early, more than 1000 Victorians lose their lives to the disease each year".

Phase One
- Commenced in January 2007.
- Free FOBT kits are in the process of being sent via mail to all Australians turning 55 and 65 between 1st May 2006 and 30th June 2008.
- The recipient of the kit performs the test at home and returns it in the envelope provided to Dorovitch Pathology. Note: To increase the chances of detecting tiny amounts of blood in the bowel motion, two separate samples need to be taken from two separate bowel motions. (This is why it is not practical to do it at the GPs surgery).
- The patient must sign their Participant Details Form - on which they nominate the GP that they wish to have the result sent to.
- The results will be sent to the patient, the GP and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Register approximately 2 weeks after the test has been received by the pathology company.
- If the patient chooses to "opt off" the program - the results will be sent to the patient and their nominated GP.

Negative results
- If the result is negative, the patient will be advised to repeat the FOBT every two years.
- The patient should be advised to seek medical advice if they notice any of the symptoms of bowel cancer in the interim.

Positive results
- Approximately 1 in 14 people are estimated to have the presence of blood in their sample.
- The positive result will require further investigation. The patient will be advised from the Pathology Provider to contact their GP to discuss the result.
- Positive results should be followed up under the existing Policy and Procedure of the Practice, in accordance with appropriate risk management guidelines.

Patient Presentation to the Practice
When the patient presents with a positive result, the GP needs to complete the required Assessment form ensuring that all five sections are completed and refer on if clinically indicated. The form needs to be lodged by faxing to (03) 6281 0554 or by mail using address sticker in the GP Information kit sent earlier this year. If kit has not been receive or you wish to order another please call 1800 118 868.

The National Register follows patients with a positive result through the screening process and sends reminder letters to patient regarding follow up testing.

To Initiate the $6.60 Payment
- Each GP is required to complete a Payment Account Details Form and fax to (03) 6281 0554

For further information:
Website: www.cancerscreening.gov.au - click on the blue box "National Bowel Cancer Screening Program" this will take you to a different website. Click on Program Resources on the left hand menu. Then click on Information for Health Professionals.
All forms are available below.

CHGPN: Contact Belinda Carra
on (03) 5428 4848