Many Australians could die of bowel cancer if the government doesn't so something about colonoscopy waiting times, says an advocacy group.

Bowel Cancer Australia decribes this as a "looming" crisis that the government must address, and soon.  The group's new research found that more than half of patients who return a positive screening result don't have the diagnostic procedure within the recommended 30 days.

"Ninety per cent of bowel cancer cases are treatable when detected early, but early detection requires people with a positive screen or symptoms suggestive of bowel cancer to be able to access the necessary follow up procedure within the recommended time frame," said Bowel Cancer Australia CEO Julien Wiggins, who stresses the need for teh government to "adequately" fund colonoscopy services to reduce the delays and save lives.

An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report reveals 83 percent of people who receive a positive result from the government screening program don't undergo a colonoscopy within the recommended time.