• long running

Bowel Cancer Screening Home Test Kit & Testing Service $45 Delivered @ ColoVantage

1630
Bowel Cancer Screening Home Test Kit & Testing Service $45 Delivered @ ColoVantage
Go to Deal
Lnulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:14 colovantage.com.au (2586 clicks)
Last edited 21/05/2025 - 09:02 by 2 other users

Writing this on behalf of my Pops and Dad. I usually just browse here, but this felt important to share.

If you're 40 or older, please consider getting screened early—and regularly.

My Pops passed away from bowel cancer when I was just six. It was rough.

Last year, my Dad had to go through a biopsy and colonoscopy after high PSA levels and because of our family history. None of my parents—Pops, Dad, or even Mum—liked the idea of dealing with their own poo, which I get.

But after asking around at a few pharmacies, this test was recommended. I bought one for Dad. Took a month of convincing, but he finally did it—and I feel a lot better knowing he’s being proactive. He admitted it wasn’t that bad. The brush is long enough, and you only need a water sample from the bowl after you’ve gone. No mess, no scooping.

It’s not a bad deal at all—about $45 for peace of mind. Just follow the instructions: do your business, dip the brush in the toilet water, swipe it on the card, seal it up, and mail it in. The only delay we had was AusPost being slow. But once the lab gets it, results came through in under 48 hours—super fast if you put down your email.

Admittedly, I wasn't around when Dad got the e-mail and he needed help (not the most techy person). He rang their number and some nice sounding lady helped him out and he got his results in minutes.

Honestly, I don’t get why more people aren’t testing. $45 is a small price to pay for your health—and it's made and tested here in Australia.

There might be other tests out there, sure—but how many are Australian-made, done in an Aussie lab, with a local customer service to boot?

Grab a test - any test - and look after yourself and your mates. Talk to your GP for options.

I don’t want your kids to go through what I did: growing up without my Pops, and now worrying I might lose my Dad too.

Early screening could make all the difference. Just do it—for yourself, and for the people who love you. Tomorrow is a promise.

Mod: Removed association by OP request (clicked in error): "nulltrace72: Sorry - misunderstood the association. Can we dissociate my account with colovantage?"

Due to popular demand here is the link to do the government one:

https://www.ncsr.gov.au/information-for-participants/order-a…

Here's the real bargain at bowel cancer australia

https://shop.bowelcanceraustralia.org/products/bowelscreen-a…

Health & Beauty Health Screening

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Comments

  • dosada on 20/05/2025 - 14:14
    +58

    They are free at the gp

      • dosada on 20/05/2025 - 14:15
        +17

        Yes. Either that one sent to your address or the gp gives you what they have. Never paid a dent for it

          • battler on 20/05/2025 - 14:19
            +38

            @nulltrace72: weak excuses.
            you tell us about the pain of losing someone but can't put a stick of poo in a bag in the fridge.

            Honestly, I don’t get why more people aren’t testing. Putting poo in the fridge is a small price to pay for your health

            • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:26
              +1

              @battler: That's fair man. It's not for everyone, yeah?

            • Bruceflix on 20/05/2025 - 15:14
              +6

              @battler: It's more the confusion caused as neither taste, no odour, could differentiate from the leftovers.,

            • raj76 on 20/05/2025 - 17:22
              +1

              @battler: I didn't tell my wifey… Otherwise I would need to buy a new one

          • stickingly on 20/05/2025 - 14:32
            +27

            @nulltrace72: Do they know it is a 10c sized piece inside a sealed plastic container inside a sealed plastic bag. It's not like it is a Mars bar on a plate.

            It is really not that big a deal compared to the alternative of dying from cancer

            • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/05/2025 - 14:54
              +9

              @stickingly: Mmmm mars bar on a plateeee

            • Herbs on 20/05/2025 - 16:42
              +5

              @stickingly: Did one recently. The requirements are the sample is no bigger than a grain of rice.

            • PeterSnoot on 21/05/2025 - 07:28
              +2

              @stickingly: Closer to the size of a grain of rice is all that is needed for the standard test. Defintiely not a big deal.

          • BartholemewH on 20/05/2025 - 20:36
            +2

            @nulltrace72: Your parents sound like 3 year olds.

          • Duck Mode on 20/05/2025 - 22:43
            +1

            @nulltrace72: Would your mum consider buying one of those mini makeup fridges for the job like this one?

            https://ebay.us/m/bNTNjt

            Or maybe even just something off Gumtree for "dirty" stuff

      • spock on 20/05/2025 - 14:26
        +2

        Fyi don't put it near mums chocolates .

        • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:29
          +2

          It's like you and Dad are related

        • EyyBanane on 10/06/2025 - 10:39

          You mean the starfish chocolate?

      • ernrdr on 20/05/2025 - 14:39
        +5

        Just did it yesterday. No fridge required - it says to store at room temp.

        • unity1 on 20/05/2025 - 15:30
          +2

          This test or a different one? It's cold enough in Melbourne now. Store outside.

      • mitty on 20/05/2025 - 16:24
        +5

        Mum might think differently when she's in hospital having half her bowel removed. It happened to my Dad and it's not pretty. However, you get a free test from the government ever two years after 50, so personally I wouldn't pay for one.

    • Ulysses31 on 20/05/2025 - 18:49
      +2

      I got one for free, can't remember how… Just filled the details online somewhere, by memory.

      Had an uncle die of colon cancer. It's fn horrible horrible stuff. He had one dying wish, we all get checked the MINUTE we think something is a bit strange… Or earlier, if we think we're also at risk

    • Series4Episode10 on 21/05/2025 - 09:35

      Yeah, & they posted me one recently, which had some oily, slippery or silicon crap on the vial labels, tried every pen here, none would write on all the label, seemed to be a thumb print on each one of whatever it was … had to use a sharpie to write on them & fill in the bits the pens failed on, left the techs a little note to "enjoy their crap job"

    • Franc-T on 21/05/2025 - 17:11

      I think its only for people over a certain age, but I could be wrong

  • easternculture on 20/05/2025 - 14:16
    +51

    Free if your 45 or over

    https://www.ncsr.gov.au/information-for-participants/request…

      • easternculture on 20/05/2025 - 14:23
        +17

        Your name, dob and medicare number for the purpose of funding and billing/ And address to mail it/ phone number so they call you if you need immediate medical attention after test result. Nothing wrong with that.

        Also free at participating Pharmacies: You can also find kits at participating TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacies.

      • Franc-T on 21/05/2025 - 17:12

        They didnt ask anything untoward - just get it done as cancer sucks

    • GreenGuava on 20/05/2025 - 14:33
      +6

      Thanks for sharing, I didn't realise the age limit had been lowered. While not applicable to me at the moment, it's good to know that these can be proactively ordered from 45 years of age now

    • dryandra on 20/05/2025 - 14:46
      +2

      Yes, just got my wife her first, I have done many over the years.

  • BadAtNames on 20/05/2025 - 14:28
    +10

    How is this a deal when they're free for over 45s?

    • smigglejiggle on 20/05/2025 - 14:30
      +23

      If you are 44.

      • easternculture on 20/05/2025 - 14:37
        +5

        The risk is low before 45 according to medical data. But saying that, ive had a few friends under 30 who died from bowel cancer and a work mate who was diagnosed at around 38.

        • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 14:51
          +16

          The risk can't be that low if you, one person, has had "a few friends under 30 die from it and another diagnosed at 38"…

        • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/05/2025 - 14:56
          +2

          My friends husband passed away very suddenly at mid 30s from it. From diagnosis to passing was literally like 4 weeks as it was so late stage.

          • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 14:58
            +2

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: Scary stuff hey.

            Bloody cancer, we've got enough things to worry about in life without the persistent threat of being randomly selected (I know, there are things you can do to lower your chances) to receive cancer.

            • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/05/2025 - 14:59
              +2

              @Binchicken22:

              persistent threat of being randomly selected (I know, there are things you can do to lower your chances)

              I drink 2-3 monster energy drinks a day, most days, consistently- my sister in law linked me an article the other day saying taurine ingestion is linked to higher chances of blood cancer… imagine mrw I received that article after just cracking open a cold one

            • easternculture on 20/05/2025 - 16:26

              @Binchicken22: Anti oxidants to neutralise the free radicals circulating in blood stream and repair damaged mutated cells.

              General fasting or particularily water fasting helps the body get rid of all the old and damaged cells that may mutate to cancerous cells.

              • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 19:54
                +4

                @easternculture: Yeah I've been hearing a lot about this lately.

                Did a 72hr water fast about a month ago, want to try for a week but have so much on lately I haven't really been able to find a gap in my schedule.

                I've really tried to actually start taking care of my health now, shit starts getting real once you hit your mid 30s.

                • Craze on 20/05/2025 - 22:32

                  @Binchicken22: Did you feel better after the 72 hour water fasting?

          • serpserpserp on 20/05/2025 - 21:09

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: Crikey that is horrible.

      • BadAtNames on 20/05/2025 - 14:45
        +1

        Pretty sure if you're aged 40-44 you can ask you GP for a free test

      • jv on 20/05/2025 - 16:04
        -6

        If you are 44.

        If you are 44, you don't need it…

      • Ulysses31 on 20/05/2025 - 18:50

        This guy maths

    • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:33
      -2

      I subscribed my whole family in their Reminder program - so I guess, a happy customer?

  • PhilToinby on 20/05/2025 - 14:36
    +69

    I was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer at the age of 31. I'm now 45 and unfortunately it is going to finish me off sometime in the next 3-6 months, if I'm lucky as I now have cancer everywhere.

    If it had have been detected earlier, surgery would have been successful and I wouldn't have needed ~5 operations and years of chemotherapy. And my life expectancy would be normal and not 45.

    Get yourself tested and if any doubt, get a colonoscopy, especially if you have family history

    • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:38
      +17

      I'm so sorry man. I'm hoping your family comes together for you, like we did for Pops. No one deserves this.

    • easternculture on 20/05/2025 - 14:39
      +9

      Sorry to hear that. It is rare to have bowel cancer at a young age. I wish you all the best mate.

      • PhilToinby on 20/05/2025 - 14:47
        +4

        It's likely a collision of family history and bad luck in my case. My great grandfather, grandfathers (on both sides) and grandmother all had bowel cancer. Mum and my aunty have been having numerous polyps removed since they were 40. I was always going to have a colonoscopy early in life, I just should have scheduled one before I turned 31. I did ask my GP for a referral for a colonoscopy when I was 29, but he told me it wasn't worth the risk!

        I have also never smoked a cigarette. Beers, yes, but not any more than a regular person.

        I had one dodgy polyp that was cancerous when I was 31, and none since!

        • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 15:14
          +1

          Damn man, so you literally just asked your doctor for a colonoscopy purely because of family history and it turned out you had stage 3? No symptoms you were concerned about?

          There should be more awareness about this stuff, I wouldn't even know the process… Like you just go to the doctor and say "I want a colonoscopy" and they go "why?" And you just say "because I want one"?

          • PhilToinby on 20/05/2025 - 15:45
            +1

            @Binchicken22: Almost. Between asking my doc for a colonoscopy and the diagnosis I did get a little bleeding on the toilet paper. Nobody was worried about it, assumed it would be haemorrhoids!

            • serpserpserp on 20/05/2025 - 21:11

              @PhilToinby: That sucks. It can depend on the color of the blood right? Also did that bleeding never stop?

              • PhilToinby on 21/05/2025 - 07:48

                @serpserpserp: It was intermittent, so I didn't take it too seriously. The colour of the blood probably is an indicator of how far along the bowel/rectum it is

          • hughes on 21/05/2025 - 08:39
            +1

            @Binchicken22: friend of mine was early stage 3 at 39, no family history. surgery was successful and cancer didn't spread thankfully.
            went to the doctors after a week of no poop. always had bowel movements ever 3 days and thought it was just constipation but bloodwork revealed high wbc count possibly from an infection

            • PhilToinby on 21/05/2025 - 13:27
              +1

              @hughes: At Stage 3 you can be lucky, especially if it's in the colon. Mine was technically rectal cancer which has a higher chance of recurrence. I was clear for about 3 years before they found spots in my lungs, then had another 3 or so years clear before more spots turned up and then it was considered stage 4 and incurable

    • GreenGuava on 20/05/2025 - 14:46
      +11

      Sending you my support from one internet stranger to another. For what it's worth, I hope you and your loved ones find solace and peace or whatever else gives you comfort and closure in however long you have left

      • PhilToinby on 20/05/2025 - 14:48
        +19

        Thank you. Thankfully I find comfort in reading about bargains!

    • TEER3X on 20/05/2025 - 19:47
      +5

      Thank you for taking the time to post on here… You've inspired me to take a test, something I should have done years ago.

    • JinXR on 20/05/2025 - 20:21
      +5

      Sorry to hear mate , everyone should get a colonoscopy.

      My wife just got one, they found early likely cancerous polyps (not cancer at the moment, but will be in a few years). The gastro cut them out.
      Shes mid 30s.

      The free tests should be earlier than 45.

    • mecind on 20/05/2025 - 18:15

      Ordered 3 weeks ago and still waiting

      • bohn on 20/05/2025 - 18:31
        +1

        yeah it took awhile for mine to come also.

  • ryefig on 20/05/2025 - 14:40

    I did have a look at this one but the results are sent to your GP? Do i have that right?

    • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:41
      +2

      Only if you want to. Dad didn't have a GP at the time (retired) so he just got it done and results to his e-mail.

  • bobvegas on 20/05/2025 - 14:43
    +2

    A video about the free government service and the procedure . Seems straight forward enough ,no need to spend $45

    https://youtu.be/1mC3kALoniQ?si=C3a_p-X8tUiFkmyh&t=25

    • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 14:45
      -2

      It's good if you're 45+ and/or don't care about poo in the fridge. Different stroke for different folks.

      If not, you're kinda left on your own, which can be scary. https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/get-involved/campaigns/…

      • AdModnar on 20/05/2025 - 16:40
        +11

        For those who worry about this in the fridge, as I remember it, the process when using the free Govt supplied version after you have the sample is:
        Put the 'little stick' with a quite small amount on the end of it in a click lock hard plastic 'case' thing, close the lid so it locks, shake that.
        Put that in a plastic pouch thing, has two pouches, supplied so you can keep the two samples together.
        Put that in a press lock plastic bag, make sure the snap closure is properly closed. (also supplied?, or if not FIND one)
        Put THAT inside the envelope you are going to use to post all thjis in.
        Put all that inside the fridge.
        Now worry that someone is going to… do what with it????
        If you worry about that, how do you associate with anybody? Most of us only have two layers of clothing between you and …. !!!!

  • RacingBull1 on 20/05/2025 - 14:57
    -5

    Crony Capitalist at its best.! Poor Joe got it let’s make money .!

    http://www.ncsr.gov.au/information-for-participants/request-…

    I’ll leave it here.!

    • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 15:09
      +3

      🙄 Yeah "free", taxpayer funded kits if you are over 45…

      There's a fair chunk of the population under 45 that might be interested in $45 worth of piece of mind…

      To be honest, between postage, credit card fees, packaging, admin for the results and the lab time/equipment needed to actually analyse the samples I'd be surprised if there is much "profit" margin at all in these… This is hardly an example of capitalism gone wrong… It's actually a fine example of capitalism gone right that we can access a lab quality test delivered to our house for only $45.

    • rodericb on 20/05/2025 - 16:01
      +2

      'Joe' has prostate cancer, which is not bowel cancer.

    • aaronsd on 20/05/2025 - 23:26
      +1

      Yikes, are you alright mate?

  • tabboy on 20/05/2025 - 14:58
    +1

    I actually got an SMS the other week about this, I have ordered a free one now.

  • YoursTruly on 20/05/2025 - 15:02

    Sincerely Amazing!

    Ozbargain! the place to find an OZ bargain!

    From semen catching to poop saving & sending it to a gp via aupost for diagnosing - and bargains of anything in between!

    Bravo Ozbargain founders!!

  • beefsandwich on 20/05/2025 - 15:03
    +5

    If nothing else, this post taught me that kits are available free for over 45s. So thanks OP.

    • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 15:03
      +5

      At least it got convos starting?

  • Oegihpmas on 20/05/2025 - 15:04
    +4

    It's 42.95 (free shipping) at Bowel Cancer Australia which makes for a better deal:

    https://shop.bowelcanceraustralia.org/products/bowelscreen-a…

  • Milkywayss on 20/05/2025 - 15:20
    +4

    FYI just because you can order a test doesn’t mean the benefits outweigh the risks to recommend having it. Although this could be a “bargain” for those without Medicare.

    My advice would be:

    • If 45-74 - get a free government kit which you can request here
    • If <45 or >75 - speak to your GP about risks and benefits and whether they would recommend it in your individual case, and they can give you a free kit (you may have the GP OOP cost though).
    • If risk factors - you should definitely see your GP as this very likely may not be the most appropriate test. Eg if you have a 1st degree relative with history of bowel cancer, you may be recommended to skip this and go straight to having a colonoscopy, and doing this test could provide false reassurance if negative.
    • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 15:35

      When you say "it doesn't mean the benefits out way the risk"…

      You are basically just referring to the possibility of a false negatives test meaning you go on with your life happily for another 5 years and boom you have stage 4 cancer that you didn't pick up 5 years ago because it wasn't bleeding at the time of the test right?

      I wonder what the actual risk of false negatives is on these tests, is there data on that?

      • nulltrace72 on 20/05/2025 - 15:51
        -1

        Pretty good question. Gov kit has this https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer-screening/analysis-of…

        Sounds accurate (under screening test performance) - 15% false neg?

        I wandered over to bowel cancer australia cos of the $42.95 price another guy's posted, and it looks like it's the same as colovantage.

        ColoVantage looks pretty accurate too (13% false neg?)
        https://www.colovantage.com.au/pages/how-does-colovantage-ho…

      • muwu on 20/05/2025 - 17:47
        +6

        And consider false positive as a risk.

        False positives will likely be referred for a colonoscopy in the absence of any bleeding lesions like tumours or pre-cancerous polpys (it's much more common to be peri-anal disease like hemorrhoids or a fissure). Then on the population receiving colonoscopies there is a small but material risk of serious adverse events, such as bowel perforations or anaesthetic reactions, either of which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality (bowel resections and stomas, critical illness and risk of death).

        The risk/benefit balance is much more fine in young people because the statistics clearly show an exponential risk of colorectal cancer with age, where the vast majority are occurring in people >60 years-old.

        I am a doctor and personally engage in what many would consider fairly aggressive long-term preventative measures, including myself in consultation with my GP, and I've been wrestling with the question of bowel cancer screening (I'm 30s) and haven't yet bite the bullet on it…

        • ihbh on 20/05/2025 - 19:20

          fairly aggressive long-term preventative measures

          Lots of fibre, whole food plant based, turmeric, etc.?

          • muwu on 20/05/2025 - 19:55
            +3

            @ihbh: I meant preventive measures more broadly, not just CRC.

            Most colorectal cancers are largely contributed to by genetics.

            Environmental has a minor effect. Exercise and nutrition (whole foods, adequate fibre and water, lessen processed foods) and poison and pollutant avoidance (including tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs).

            Prevention really does come down to early detection via a colonoscopy. Deciding on doing one comes down to a balance of benefit and risk, which is considering the chance of having bowel cancer against the risks of the procedure and each instance of having the procedure repeated.

            A polyp could potentially advance into a later stage malignancy in as short as 1-2 years, so there's always the risk of non-detection between colonoscopies. And then not all colonoscopies will detect 100% of lesions. In other words, it's still not entirely preventable even if you load up on all the risks of frequent colonoscopies.

            These faecal occult blood tests are not so accurate at the individual level, but useful over a whole population to help stratify risk along with other factors (age, family history). That's the reason young people are excluded, because even a positive result, which is far more likely to be a benign cause, doesn't stratify risk of cancer much higher because their statistical risk is so low, and outweighed by procedure risk.

            Screening is a difficult consideration with a lot of nuance.

            • serpserpserp on 20/05/2025 - 21:20
              +1

              @muwu:

              even if you load up on all the risks of frequent colonoscopies.

              Colonoscopy's really aren't as dangerous as people make out

        • Binchicken22 on 20/05/2025 - 20:03
          +1

          Interesting perspective.

          It just seems to me as a lay person, that the risk of significant long lasting complications coming from a fairly routine procedure like a colonoscopy would be low compared to the risk of ignoring a positive result from a test like this.

          It seems like your professional opinion for someone in their 30s would be to ignore a positive test as you believe the risks of a colonoscopy outway the small chance that it is a true positive? I don't know if I've misinterpreted your opinion there or not.

          I don't know if this is the sort of thing you see in your field (don't know what sort of doctor you are) but colorectal cancer certainly seems to be on the rise in younger people from the reports I have seen and as a 35 year with a young family, it's not something that's never crossed my mind that's for sure. Have you noticed any increases in cases? Or maybe being in your 30s yourself you haven't been in the field long enough to notice a consistent trend yet.

          • lemonr on 20/05/2025 - 22:50
            +3

            @Binchicken22: Yes misinterpreted - the opinion was not to ignore a positive result, but to not do the test in the first place.

            Key concepts:
            - Screening vs diagnostic tests
            - Sensitivity/specificity, false positive/negative rate
            - Negative and positive predictive values

            FOBT is a screening programme evaluated to have benefits>risks in a certain subgroup of population (age and risk profile).
            In a 30s subgroup, it is likely to have lower PPV leading to unnecessary invasive diagnostic tests causing more harm (financial, mental, health from procedural risk) than benefit.

            Keep in mind all the above are for asymptomatic patients. Your GP has gone through at least 11 years of training and will be able to make a personalised recommendation based on your risk profile (eg some patients should not do FOBT and go straight to Cscope).

            The PSA debacle has similar concepts - why do you think it is not part of national screening yet?

            I've seen 20yos who self-tested their PSA which came back elevated - could it be prostate cancer? On the other hand, I've seen a 60yo who was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer - was inappropriately recommended a FOBT by the ?chemist which came back negative so he ignored the symptoms - he thought that a negative test surely meant he didn't have CRC…

            Honestly with how the govt is funding healthcare, it seems that we are spending more to create a bigger mess. They'd do everything apart from funding GPs appropriately. You'd think they would want to learn from the NHS failings. Rant over.

      • Milkywayss on 21/05/2025 - 07:13

        There are risks to the test itself - I know of more data on breast and prostate screening but there is increased anxiety, myocardial infarction and suicide after a positive test.

        With a positive test there are then risks of the colonoscopy including perforation, bleeding, infection and risks of the anaesthetic.

        So for example, if a screening test has a 1 in 50000 chance of saving your life by detecting an early cancer, but the colonoscopy has a 1 in 30000 chance of death from complications, you should avoid doing the initial bowel test in the first place until you are higher risk and more likely to benefit. (Note I just made these numbers up - they heavily depend on your age, younger people have less benefit and less risk, older people higher risk)

        A GP or a Gastroenterologist is best placed to assess these risks and benefits for you though, don’t trust me or ozbargain!

    • serpserpserp on 20/05/2025 - 21:14

      Your advice? Are you a doctor?

  • revivor on 20/05/2025 - 15:22

    Paid for a free check?? Wow! I got mine for free from the Government. Test results come back in 1 week. Pretty good turn around

    • Limitless on 21/05/2025 - 08:09

      only free if you are over 45 or at risk

  • alayne on 20/05/2025 - 15:38
    +1

    Upvoted for the sentiment.

  • hardya on 20/05/2025 - 15:48
    +1

    Grandpa's poo in the fridge. Put the grandkids off chocolate for life once they had a taste.

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