Bowel cancer is Australia's second biggest cancer killer. It kills more people in NSW than prostate cancer, breast cancer or melanoma.

However, if detected early, bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90 per cent of cases. Therefore, your chance of surviving the disease can improve significantly.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is an Australian Government initiative that sends out free bowel cancer screening tests to all eligible people aged 50-74. The test will be posted to you every two years around the time of your birthday.

"The test is quick, simple and you can complete it in the comfort of your own home. We know that after doing the test, 80 per cent of people go on to repeat the test when next invited," Cancer Council's Community Programs coordinator Louise Jeffs said.

"All NSW residents have a part to play in raising our participation rates and saving lives that would otherwise be needlessly lost.

"The bowel cancer screening test detects blood in poo, which can be a sign of pre-cancerous lesions and cancers in the early stages and often these don't have any symptoms."

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh has added his voice to the shoutout: "What better way to save your life, do the test . . . it's just so simple.

"The test kit comes with full easy to follow instructions, and what's even better, there's no cost involved."

Another thing you can do is to eat more foods containing wholegrains, dietary fibre and dairy foods; eating less red and processed meats, being physically active, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking - these can reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer by almost 50 per cent.

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