9 April 2026
Bowel screening results
Colovantage test
We’ve received a few enquiries this week from people chasing bowel screening results from bowel screening kits purchased via our website.
Please note that all result enquiries should be directed to Colovantage, as they are the provider of the test kits.
If you provided your email address on your information sheet when you sent your test off, you can access their patient portal here.
If you aren’t able to login, please contact Colovantage directly on 1800 55 65 75 or by emailing [email protected]
It can take Australia Post up to 10 days to deliver your samples back to their lab.
Once received, they process your samples the same day. Your results are then reviewed by their Medical Officer, which might take up to 72 hours, as their office is closed on weekends.
If you have not received your results 2 weeks after posting the test back, please contact Colovantage on 1800 55 65 75 or by emailing [email protected]
It’s important to note that the bowel screening test is not a test for cancer.
It looks for tiny traces of blood in bowel movements that can’t be seen by the naked eye.
This blood can come from a range of causes, including polyps (pre-cancerous growths), bowel cancer, or other bowel conditions. A positive result doesn’t mean you have cancer, but it does mean follow‑up with your GP is important to understand the cause and arrange further testing (ie. colonoscopy).
It’s also important to know that a negative screening result doesn’t completely rule out bowel cancer. Some bowel cancers or polyps don’t bleed, or don’t bleed all the time, so they may not be detected by a screening test. This is why any bowel cancer symptoms should always be checked by a GP, regardless of your screening result.
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program test kits
If you’re aged 45-74 and completed the FREE TEST issued by the Australian Government as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, you and your doctor will receive the result within 4-6 weeks.
Your results are also sent to:
- the National Cancer Screening Register.
- My Health Record (unless you have opted out of My Health Record or unchecked this box on your form).
Your result will be either positive, negative or inconclusive.
A positive result is not a cancer diagnosis. But you should see your doctor as soon as possible to investigate further (ie colonoscopy).
It’s important to know that bowel screening test does not always find bowel cancer. This is because some bowel cancers may not bleed, or may not bleed all the time. Symptoms should always be checked by a GP – regardless of screening results.