Experts have said that people who undergo screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) are 44 per cent more likely to develop the disease in the next few years compared to those who have never undergo the screening.

According to the study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the reduction is for at least four years. The study is based on questionnaires completed by from 196 464 people in the NSW 45 and Up study.

The participants in the study completed a baseline questionnaire between January 2006 and December 2008 with a follow up showing 1,096 had developed colorectal cancer in the subsequent four years. Out of these, 454 were proximal colon, 240 distal colon, 349 rectal and 53 unspecified cancers. Research shows that screening are reducing incidence of bowel cancer in Australia.

The study that included 200,000 people in New South Wales showed that those were screened for bowel cancer had a 44 per cent lower risk of developing the disease during the next four years. Australian National University researcher Emily Banks said that the research pointed out the importance of screening. Professor Banks said the disease kills 80 Australians every week.

She said, "It's very hard to prevent colorectal cancer, there are not that many known risk factors. This is a way we can actually detect it early and we can detect pre-cancerous legions. When you're given an invitation to go for bowel cancer screening, it's a good moment to think about whether you want to do it and to be encouraged by these kinds of findings."