Cancer prevention programs

SA Group of Specialists offer a number of cancer assessment and recall programs.

Nurse-led colorectal cancer risk assessment clinic

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides eligible Australians, between the ages of 50 and 75, a free faecal occult blood test every two years.

People who receive a positive result from this test are often referred for a colonoscopy for further investigation. Our team of gastroenterologists and nurses can talk you through the risks of a positive screening test, and any following results, to put you at ease.

Our nurse is highly experienced in this field, having worked for the Bowel Health Service at the Repatriation General Hospital.

Located at Tennyson Centre (Kurralta Park) the clinic aims to provide:

• Rapid appointment time (within two weeks of referral).
• Rapid access to colonoscopy (within two weeks of initial appointment).
• Affordable access to assessment and colonoscopy:
  • All Medicare-eligible patients are bulk-billed for their consultation.
  • The costs of colonoscopy billed directly to your health fund (often called ‘Gap Cover’ or ‘Access Gap’).
  • For the uninsured, reasonable rates for self-insured colonoscopy.
• Quality of colonoscopy service:
  • All patients are given individual, nurse-led education on how to best prepare for their colonoscopy.
  • The colonoscopy is performed by a gastroenterologist who is a member of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia and is recognised as a colonoscopist by the Conjoint Committee of GESA, RACP and RACS and the Re-credentialing Committee of GESA.
  • All colonoscopies performed are subject to a periodical audit to ensure ongoing compliance.

To be seen through this nurse-led clinic, patients need to have a referral from their general practitioner, and:

• have a referral to be reviewed because of:
  • a positive faecal occult blood test,
  • a family history of colorectal cancer, or
  • a personal history of colonic polyps.
• have no other significant medical illness, and
• be aged between 45 and 75.

If you do not meet these criteria and would still like to see a gastroenterologist about your concerns, you can ask your GP for a referral to see any of our qualified and experienced gastroenterologists.

SCOOP: Colorectal cancer prevention service

Providing an evidenced-based, quality colorectal cancer surveillance and recall program.

The SCOOP program (Southern Cooperative Program for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer) was originally developed in 2000 following the release of the NHMRC Guidelines on colorectal cancer prevention. A nationally recognised leader, it is now Australia’s largest colorectal cancer surveillance program.

SA Group of Specialists was one of the founders of the program and now runs the only private SCOOP clinic. The aim of the clinic is to provide patients at risk of colorectal cancer, due to either a personal history of colonic polyps or family history of colorectal cancer, an evidenced-based surveillance and recall program.

For the quality assurance of our program, we share de-identified data and information with the SCOOP program of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. As well as research, this helps to inform new guidelines and change recommendations as new evidence emerges.

Speak to your gastroenterologist if you think you would be suitable for this program and would like to be enrolled.

BOSS: Oesophageal cancer prevention service

Providing an evidenced-based, quality oesophageal cancer surveillance and recall program.

The BOSS (Barrett’s Oesophagus Surveillance) program was developed by Flinders Medical Centre and SA Group of Specialists to coordinate and manage surveillance for people at risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

The aim of the program is to provide patients at risk of oesophageal cancer an evidenced-based surveillance and recall program.

Speak to your gastroenterologist if you think you would be suitable for this program and would like to be enrolled.