The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is encouraging healthcare providers to continue to recommend routine screening to eligible patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancerscreening.gov.au website has been updated to ensure providers have guidance about managing screening and followup during this time. 

• the National Cancer Screening Register and contact centre will remain operational. Participants will continue to receive screening kits and results through the mail
• people with positive iFOBT results will still require follow-up, and their results letter will tell them to contact their GP to seek advice
• when a GP or practice receives a positive iFOBT result for a participant, they may contact the participant to initiate a consult either via telehealth or face to face, and follow up patients who fail to attend. GPs should continue to refer patients to colonoscopy services for further investigation where appropriate
• due to the unprecedented pressure on the Australian health system, it is expected there may be some disruptions and delays for follow-up appointments and/or procedures for participants who receive positive results
• colonoscopy specialists will prioritise patients as appropriate
• evidence suggests that a short delay in colonoscopy after a positive iFOBT result will not worsen the prognosis.

Cancer screening, Quality in general practice