Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2009: 20 (1) Population screening by Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) has

the potential to significantly reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality.1-3 Screening guidelines in Australia recommend screening at least once every two years with FOBT or once every five years with colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy for all adults aged 50 and over.4 National bowel cancer screening programs using the FOBT are currently operating in several countries including Australia, the UK, France and Japan.5 Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) commenced in August 2006, offering free FOBT screening to all those turning 55 and 65.6 Reduction of CRC disease burden improves with high levels of uptake; optimally, over 70%. To date, participation rates in Australia have been much lower: the pilot program achieved a rate of 45.5 % (average from three sites, range 39.9%-57.7%) and the initial national roll-out reported an adjusted participation Demographic associations with stage of readiness to screen for colorectal cance