This Father’s Day, encourage dads to take screen time on the loo

We all know how long dads spend on the toilet – so they have no excuse for delaying the free, simple and life-saving bowel cancer screening test available to all 50-74-year-olds every two years

We all know the jokes about Dad spending hours on the squatter, but data from YouGov shows we’re not wrong.

The survey reveals people aged 50 and over spend around 35 minutes a day in the bathroom, with almost a quarter of Aussies (24 per cent) using the bathroom nine times or more daily. And that’s more than enough time to take a free, life-saving test.

Cancer Council and the Australian Government are urging older Australians to Get2it and participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The free test kit is sent in the mail and is quick, hygienic and easy to complete at home.

Ex-NRL players, Petero Civoniceva and Geoff Toovey with NRL commentator Andrew Voss are helping to raise awareness. Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer and early detection is critical to improving survival rates. Picture: Richard Dobson

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer, yet screening rates are only 43.5 per cent even though the free kits are sent to 50–74-year-old Australians every two years.

Health and Aged Care Minister, The Hon Mark Butler MP, said: “We are asking Australians aged 50 and over to make time to look after their health by doing their free bowel test when it arrives in the mail. If we can get 60 per cent of eligible Australians screening and keep it that way, we can save 84,000 lives by 2040.”

The free, at-home test kit takes just four steps that could save you life. Why not Get2it?

Research shows that placing the bowel screening test kit in the bathroom straightaway, as well as setting reminders on your phone, could increase screening rates.

Former NRL stars Petero Civoniceva and Geoff Toovey have teamed up with commentator Andrew Voss to spread the word on the importance of bowel cancer screening, particularly to men aged 50-59, recording an instructional video which sees them commentating through a bowel screening test as though it were a footy match.

It’s a fun way to shed light on a serious issue that has touched Voss’ own family.

Pictured in Sydney are ex-NRL players Geoff Toovey and Petero Civoniceva with NRL commentator Andrew Voss, on the set of their fun but informative bowel cancer awareness video. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Bowel cancer awareness is a cause that really hits home for me because I’ve seen first-hand how devastating bowel cancer can be, after my grandmother was diagnosed with bowel cancer late in the piece before sadly passing away,” he said.

“Early diagnosis could save your life, so I’m honoured to be able to partner with Cancer Council and the Australian Government to help Aussies prioritise their health, Get2it and do a bowel screening test.”

Cancer Council and the Australian Government are urging Australians aged 50 – 74 to

Get2it and participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. For more

information visit cancer.org.au/bowelscreening – and set a reminder for your bowel cancer screening at www.cancer.org.au/bowelscreening/reminder

Scan the QR code for more information about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program – Cancer Council and the Australian Government are urging Australians aged 50-74 to Get2it and take the free screening test.

Originally published as This Father’s Day, encourage dads to take screen time on the loo