Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Bowel cancer is one of those things that a lot of people don't like talking about. It's not exactly the best pub conversation, but the truth is it affects thousands of Aussie families every year and too many lives are being lost because people put off getting checked. The good news is that bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if it's found early, and that's why the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is so important. The test is simple. It can be done at home and it could save your life. We all know someone who reckons they'll get around to it later. They feel fine, they're busy and they don't think it'll happen to them. But bowel cancer does not wait for a convenient time.

So my message is pretty simple: if the kit turns up in your letterbox, use it. Don't put it in the drawer. Don't leave it on the kitchen bench. Do the test, and send it back. It's one of the only times you can put some crap in an envelope and send it back to government and it actually might save your life.

If something doesn't feel right, make sure you go and talk to your doctor. You're never too young to have bowel cancer. Don't tough it out. Don't ignore the signs. Unfortunately, only 41.7 per cent of those test kits get sent back to government for us to check. And, unfortunately, too many people are getting checked too late and finding out they do have bowel cancer.

If having one uncomfortable conversation today means more Aussies get checked, then it's a conversation worth having. Make sure you check your bowels.