An annual initiative by Rotary has seen bowelscan kits go on sale in Wellington pharmacies this week where they will remain on the shelves until the end of March.

The kits are aimed at helping to detect early signs of bowel cancer in people, with local Rotary member Kevin Mason encouraging the community to take the opportunity to test themselves.

“Bowel cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in Australia and ranks right up their alongside breast cancer in women and lung cancer,” Mr Mason said.

“(We have been told that) every year hundreds of Australians have bowel cancer picked up in its early stages and have a chance of beating the disease because of being tested.

“It has even been picked up in people as young as 40.

“All it costs is $6 and a couple of minutes of a person’s time.”

While there is no single reason for developing bowel cancer, diet and age can be contributing factors.

There are also very few warning symptoms, however they can include bleeding from the rectum or any sign of blood after a bowel motion, a recent and persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained tiredness and abdominal pain.

Mr Mason said buying the kit was a “very good insurance policy”.

“All you have to do is buy the kit, take some specimens of your stools and deliver the kit to Michael White and Co,” he said.

“The test is then forwarded to Western Diagnostic Pathology where it will be analysed for free.”

The Rotary Bowelscan program has been running in NSW since 1982 and is now conducted by more than 250 Rotary Clubs across Australia.

Since the program started it has been reported that more than 1000 people with bowel cancer have been detected, while about 5000 people have been diagnosed with polyps.