VACCHO gets cheeky in new bowel screening campaign

Jul 31, 2026

This month, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) launched The Biggest Relief campaign to coincide with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

The ad campaign stars proud Ngarrindjeri comedian Kevin Kropinyeri and features two videos that encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria aged 45 and over, to complete the bowel screening test.

VACCHO Acting CEO Jim O’Shea says the campaign uses humour to help break down common barriers to screening for Mob – including shame and misconceptions about the test.

“We know that participation in bowel screening by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remains significantly lower than other Australians, so this campaign is vital.”

Bowel screening helps detect signs of bowel cancer early, before symptoms appear. When found early, over 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.

“While humour starts the conversation, the campaign is an important reminder that cancer screening helps you stay healthy, so you can keep doing what you love and be there for your family and Community,” Mr O’Shea said.

The Biggest Relief campaign is live now and will roll out across social media, select television networks and radio.

Check out the campaign videos below:

 

Media enquiries

For further media enquiries please email communications@vaccho.org.au or contact our media unit on (03) 9411 9411.

Background 

VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in Victoria – the only one of its kind – with 34 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as Members. VACCHO Members support over 65,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, and combined are the largest employers of Aboriginal people in the state.