We visited Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) home to Cloaca Professional — also known as the poo machine, which was used to promote Bowel Cancer screening in Australia.
Like England, Australia offers a free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) but they start testing at the age of 45, unlike England where the age is 60 and in Wales aged 50.
The machine is hand fed by staff twice a day and you can follow the food through the containers with contain human digestive juices and enzymes to break the food down and turns into faeces.
I was invited by the NHS to take part in the screening. I am 54. My test was negative.
I'm fundraising for Bowel Research UK in memory of Stephanie who died from Bowel ischaemia in October 2024. It kills 3,000 people a year and is difficult to diagnose. 
Bowel Research UK also funds research into Hirchsprung's disease which our 3 year grandson was born with.
If you can spare a pound or two or share this post I'd be really grateful. Just Giving.
It might seem a bit weird but it's an interesting concept. A lot of people don't understand how the digestive system works and how we poo. It was recently on the news here in the UK that constipation is something that is on the rise. I have been tested for bowel cancer and it was negative.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your test was negative. I didn't get to see the poo machine being fed, but the concept was fascinating
DeleteFirst I thought: 'Yuck,' but then I started reading and I have to say: it's very interesting!
ReplyDeleteit was very interesting to read about
DeleteWhat an amazing idea!
ReplyDeleteisn't it just
DeleteAs somebody that used to be a nurse way back in the day, this is certainly something interesting. Definitely an interesting read. I hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI think more people need to talk about it
DeleteI think this is so important. I'm in the UK and I really think they should lower the age. This is close to0 my heart as my grandma died from bowel cancer.
ReplyDeleteYes the age should really be lowered, it's a simple test through the post
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