Month targets bowels

Hamish Heard
A monthlong campaign to prevent bowel cancer deaths in the Geelong region will kick off next week.
Bowelscan Month organisers hope thousands of locals will test themselves for signs of the deadly disease throughout May.
During the campaign men and women aged over 40 will be encouraged to take advantage of $6 selftest kits available at all pharmacies.
Ocean Grove bowel cancer survivor Ken Lutze urged locals to take advantage of the kits.
“If I hadn’t done the test last year I’ be in a very serious way by now, according to the doctors,” Mr Lutze said.
The tests were quick, painless and accurate in detecting early signs of the disease, he said.
“I felt in extremely good health, so I was surprised when the test picked up some blood, which is an early indicator.”
Rotary is running Bowelscan Month in the region with sponsorship from the Independent.