The message is the same but the method of delivery has changed for the 16th annual Bowel Scan campaign.

Wollongong Hospital's radiation oncologist Professor Andrew Miller and District Governor of Rotary International Barry Antees launched the campaign, which they say has saved many lives over the years through early cancer detection.

Through the Illawarra Rotary Club's program, more than 24,000 bowel scan kits have been tested in the region so far - with 725 of those kits requiring further testing.

This year, however, the Bowelscan kits will be a little different, spokesperson Ruth Milne says.

"All kits will be tested in a central laboratory in Sydney. A postage pre-paid envelope will be provided with the kit, which is then posted to the laboratory."

This centralised campaign is part of the introduction of Australian-made Clinical Genomics' faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) in Bowelscan kits. In previous years, the kits were tested free of charge by Southern IML Pathology.

From May 9 to June 13 the kits will still be available for purchase in most pharmacies from Helensburgh to Gerringong. The new kits are also easy to use.

"Only two samples are required, and there are no diet restrictions, so you can just live your life as normal," Mrs Milne said.

People over 50 years old are encouraged to take the test. Around 16,000 new bowel cancer cases are diagnosed each year. Of those cases, around 4000 are fatal.

Early detection is crucial, Mrs Milne said.

"If caught quite early, the outcomes can be quite good."

Information: 4284 2803.