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The service offers:
- Assessment of risk for bowel cancer, based on an analysis of the family history - complementing the risk service in the Familial Cancer Centre
- Surveillance recommendations and organisation
The service has a computerised reminder facility which administers (by post) annual faecal occult blood testing and coordinates colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy bookings (public at RMH when necessary and private anywhere). The service works closely with the Familial Cancer Centre especially whenever an inheritable cancer predisposing gene is suspected.
Referrals are recommended where families / individuals meet Amsterdam (the 3:2:1 rule) or Bethesda Criteria. The service is also closely linked with the development of FamBIS, the Cancer Council's central software which supports Victorian Familial Cancer centres, including some aspects of surveillance. Individuals in the moderate risk categories can be advised by phone or consultation through (03) 9342 8423.
Bowel Surveillance Service
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Grattan Street Parkville 3050
Telephone Masha Slattery (03) 9342 8423
Pam Herrington (03) 9342 8752
Email pamela.herrington@mh.org.au
Department Head Professor Finlay Macrae
Collaborations within RMH also include Colorectal Medicine and Genetics, Gastroenterology, the "One Stop Shop" clinic for familial adenomatous polyposis, and colorectal surgery. The service can support regional screening initiative as per the Federal Government's Bowel Cancer Pilot Screening Program.
Research
There is ample opportunity for MD projects in the analysis of 25 years of the surveillance service, stratified by familial risk. Clinical testing of new faecal occult blood technologies is a frequent activity, for which manufacturers are invited to contact Professor Macrae.
There is close integration with other Royal Melbourne Hospital departments/services:
- Department of Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
- Familial Cancer Centre
- Bowel Cancer Screening Service
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