Speaking of wasting Government money

[*crikey*mate*]

I just collected a package from the post office from the Australian Government (that's what it said on the envelope) It was addressed to my OH - it had all this informational stuff in it about bowel cancer.

Yeah, yeah, keeping people informed etc - but the postage alone must have been $3 plus the cost of whatever was in the package (it was A4 and chockers and I reckon must have only made the 20mm thick rule by a cat's whisker) and the wage of the person who had to correlate it all and pack it.

But it was specifically addressed to him, so there is a system somewhere deciding who gets these packages.

My OH has no history of cancer, so why they picked him out I have no idea.

Wonder how many other people got these and how much this drained the coffers.

Sure, keep people informed etc, but I reckon I could think of a few less expensive ways to do it.

[catsnknots]

The test you hubby is being asked to do is a FOB test... faecal occult blood test. 

you generally need to take three samples over three different days and that is because bleeding from polyps or other lesions do not always bleed all the time but sporadically. 

If you think it is such a waste of money just think about how much is costs the government to maintain a person on chemo and then palliative care..possibly for years and years... 

I see the results of people not being knowledgeable on these subjects, or just forgetful, or thinking they will go to the doctors if or when symptoms show up.  neither you or your hubby knew it was time to do it... didn't you say he was 2.5 yrs older than 50? 

I also see the other side of the argument... people that have had an early diagnosis that had minimal treatment and are fine and dandy... and living productive lives without being a burden on the taxpayer.. 

I have even spoken to one lady that says her life was saved from that kit testing.. 

If your hubby is in hospital then bring the test in there.. they have all the required equipment and he can get guidance from there... if he is in for a few days then it can be done before he gets home. 

[cherry*135]

remember I didn't realize this was an actual test, just an info pack when I started the thread)

...which was many many posts ago. You have had plenty of time to register that it was a test pack since then.

[polksaladallie]

i had to do a home collection of both, gave me 6 little plastic bottles, 4 for onsies and 2 for twosies. Took the to the pathology dept in a brown paper bag and left them with reception. My job was done.

Well, a bit of it was.

[*crikey*mate*]

remember I didn't realize this was an actual test, just an info pack when I started the thread)

...which was many many posts ago. You have had plenty of time to register that it was a test pack since then.

yes, and I acknowledged that 3 or 4 pages back and moved onto the finer details of it all - I've learned many new things today - some I probably didn't need to learn, but there ya go...

Besides - I saved Joz' life and now he's gonna get a medicare card, so something good has come out of it.....

[joz*garage]

yes, and I acknowledged that 3 or 4 pages back and moved onto the finer details of it all - I've learned many new things today - some I probably didn't need to learn, but there ya go...

Besides - I saved Joz' life and now he's gonna get a medicare card, so something good has come out of it.....

thank again for the thread crikey 

[*crikey*mate*]

The test you hubby is being asked to do is a FOB test... faecal occult blood test. 

you generally need to take three samples over three different days and that is because bleeding from polyps or other lesions do not always bleed all the time but sporadically. 

If you think it is such a waste of money just think about how much is costs the government to maintain a person on chemo and then palliative care..possibly for years and years... 

I see the results of people not being knowledgeable on these subjects, or just forgetful, or thinking they will go to the doctors if or when symptoms show up.  neither you or your hubby knew it was time to do it... didn't you say he was 2.5 yrs older than 50? 

I also see the other side of the argument... people that have had an early diagnosis that had minimal treatment and are fine and dandy... and living productive lives without being a burden on the taxpayer.. 

I have even spoken to one lady that says her life was saved from that kit testing.. 

If your hubby is in hospital then bring the test in there.. they have all the required equipment and he can get guidance from there... if he is in for a few days then it can be done before he gets home. 

I DONT think the test is a waste of money - I thought it was a $5 information package.

but thank you for the explanation of what the test is

[cherry*135]

I saved joz's life. He didn't realise his medicare card was out of date and  that Human Services didn't have his correct address to send him his renewal card.:-p;-):-p

[*crikey*mate*]

LOL Am3, but I started the thread that got us talking about it and led you to help Joz discover that, so I'm taking the credit for it...

[joz*garage]

I saved joz's life. He didn't realise his medicare card was out of date and  that Human Services didn't have his correct address to send him his renewal card.:-p;-):-p

thanks again for contributing to crikeys thread a-3

[cherry*135]

yw joz.

Crikey I hope you see that it is important for people to complete the test and send a sample back... even though one doesn't think they have cancer.