"I was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 bowel cancer. I'm now 76. I'm generally in very good physical and mental shape. I work a bit more than full-time as a company CEO and management consultant. I'm involved in four charities, in one of which I travel to Cambodia every year, and work long hours in very difficult environments. I'm an ambivert, so while I have a very active, outgoing and full life, I also enjoy solitude, reading, meditating and writing. Being over 75 means that I am subjected to the dementia test every six months or so by my GP. I annoy him by giving him the answer to the next question before he asks it. I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian. I walk every day and exercise four or five times a week, mainly weight training and yoga. Over some years, I've recently run in the City to Surf and I've always thought that I could sense what was happening in my body. The diagnosis came out of the blue after the regular blood test in my six-monthly check-up. I had always done the "Poo Test" and there were no apparent signs in the most recent, which I had only done about 9 months before diagnosis. These tests are not provided by the government after the age of 74. I acquired the lesion when I was 75 and not before. My GP recommends that people continue to take the test after 74, and that now seems sensible to me. If there is one thing that I absolutely recommend that you do, it is to get in touch with this Bowel Cancer Australia. Their website includes all sorts of very practical advice, including "life after treatment" and "diet, eating well". They even have recipes for each type of diet suggested. However, their most brilliant resource is a phone service allowing patients to speak to a specialist Bowel Care Nurse and a specialist Bowel Care Nutritionist." ~ Rob. ++++ Warmest thanks to Rob and everyone who shared their unique story to help make a difference this week for World Cancer Day. Together we can champion what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and put people at the centre of bowel cancer care. Head to our website to read Rob's full story. #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc

"My husband Marty, was a healthy, 42 year old Dad, police officer, a black belt in martial arts. He was a larrikin, with a dark sense of humour. A dedicated, fun and involved father. We had just walked 800km across Spain for a holiday. With an infuriating amount of energy, he encouraged and cheered me to keep going most days. Upon our return to Australia, Marty had been more tired than usual, lost his appetite and felt generally unwell. A visit to the GP, to arrange some tests, found us in the emergency department with a swift Stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately in Marty's case, there was much that could be done as he was too advanced. Chemotherapy bought us 16 months of time before we lost him in 2021. At 42, he was not eligible for screening. He did not have symptoms or a family history. He was really unlucky. But he did look after himself and would have tested if that was required. Our family continues to recover from losing him. The collateral damage of cancer on the people who loved him, has been and continues to be catastrophic. I am hopeful that if screening tests are more accessible to the under 50's and easy to use, plus we get out the message that you're never too young for bowel cancer, we may prevent other families from a similar fate. There is hope to be found in changing the future of bowel cancer." ~ Jane. ++++ Bowel cancer turns your world upside down, and behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story. Join Jane and people around the world in sharing a photo or video of yourself upside down today for World Cancer Day, along with your unique bowel cancer story. Be sure to tag @BowelCancerAust #WorldCancerDay and #UnitedByUnique Together we can champion what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and put people at the centre of bowel cancer care. #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc

This World Cancer Day, we’d like to introduce you to Specialist Bowel Care Nurses Rachel, Sue and Sunette. Bowel cancer patients are often faced with unique challenges and their journey can vary greatly from other cancers. Bowel Cancer Australia’s specialist Bowel Care Nurse program is helping to address this gap, by funding in-person Bowel Care Nurses in hospitals and cancer centres across Australia. The 100% community funded program enables people with bowel cancer to receive dedicated in-person clinical, psychosocial and emotional support from a specialist Bowel Care Nurse in the place where they are receiving treatment. Improving equity of access to personalised care and tailored support and allowing more people to access coordinated care closer to home. In 2024, Bowel Cancer Australia and Icon Cancer Centre partnered to place specialist Bowel Care Nurses in select Icon Cancer Centres across Australia. For the past six months, Rachel, Sunette and Sue have been caring for local bowel cancer patients in the Canterbury-Bankstown (NSW), Mackay (QLD) and Rockingham (WA) regions. “Supporting a patient through a challenging time often teaches us as much as it does the patient, creating memories that shape our approach to future care.” ~ Rachel (Revesby specialist Bowel Care Nurse). Read more here #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc @IconCancerCtre

Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis - it’s a deeply personal matter. That’s why a people-centred approach to (bowel) cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy, leads to the best health outcomes. Its World Cancer Day, and today’s campaigns is all about putting people at the centre of cancer care. + Providing person-centred care uniquely designed for you. + Every bowel cancer patient deserves to have access to a specialist Bowel Care Nurse. + Raising bowel cancer awareness and providing people who want to screen the opportunity to do so. + It's time to put people back at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation. + A person-centred approach to bowel cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy leads to the best health outcomes. Check out our selection of actions (and free shareable social media images) here and help us to champion what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer. #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc

“I am now twelve months into five years of cancer surveillance, with regular scans and check-ups. Friends and family tell me that it is all over now, that I am cured and to forget about it, but that’s not the reality. Whether they don’t fully understand or simply want to believe the best, the truth is that there’s still a chance the cancer could come back. The surgery and chemo didn’t cure me; they improved my odds of survival. The next five years will bring a new kind of challenge—a mental and emotional battle that feels a bit like Russian roulette. Each scan comes with the question: Will it show that the cancer is back? I often have to wrestle with my thoughts. Ironically, these thoughts tend to arise during moments of happiness, especially when I’m spending time with my family. The physical toll lingers, I still suffer with nerve damage, sun sensitivity, and fatigue remind me daily of what I’ve endured. But I’ve also gained a new perspective. Life feels more precious now. Strangely, part of me is even grateful for having had cancer. It has given me a gift that few people receive: the possibility of a second chance at life. I’m now entering a new chapter in my journey with cancer, and I’ve decided to embrace it. I refuse to live in fear of cancer or let it dictate my life. Instead, I’m choosing to lean into it and own my experience. I’m determined not to let cancer define me. By sharing my story, I hope to remind others that they are not alone. Whatever you’re feeling—fear, anger, or numbness—if you feel like you're letting down those around you, or if you have moments where you feel like giving up— it’s okay. You’re not failing. You’re surviving. Always remember that you are not alone. Most importantly, make sure to love yourself. You are worth fighting for.” ~ Grant. ++++ United in our message. Unique in our stories. Bowel cancer touches thousands of lives in countless ways, but it doesn't define who we are. We are more than a disease, more than a statistic. Bowel cancer turns your world upside down, and behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story. Join Grant (read his full story on our website) and people around the world in sharing a photo or video of yourself upside down tomorrow for World Cancer Day, along with your unique bowel cancer story. Be sure to tag @BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay and #UnitedByUnique @uicc

We need your help to put people at the centre of bowel cancer care. This Tuesday, February 4, is World Cancer Day, and we’re calling on you to play your part in creating a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient. Join Bowel Cancer Australia’s World Cancer Day social media campaign tomorrow and help us to champion what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer by sharing one (or more) of the below priorities. + Providing person-centred care uniquely designed for you. + Every bowel cancer patient deserves to have access to a specialist Bowel Care Nurse. + Raising bowel cancer awareness and providing people who want to screen the opportunity to do so. + It's time to put people back at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation. + A person-centred approach to bowel cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy leads to the best health outcomes. Check out our selection of free shareable social media images available here - - and get ready to post tomorrow! #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc

We are excited to see so many of our supporters signing up for the Upside Down Challenge this World Cancer Day and creating teams to champion a people-centred approach to bowel cancer care. It's not too late to take action and help make a difference.   Challenge yourself to complete a gravity defying feat, whether big or small, and encourage others to do the same. Handstands, Cartwheels, Somersaults, Headstands, Yoga, Gymnastics, Skydiving, Bungee Jumping and more. Choose your challenge. Create an online fundraising page for Bowel Cancer Australia or make a donation. #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc

Though it may not be the first thing on your mind, ensuring that you have a Will and that it is up-to-date is an important part of planning for your family and loved one’s future. Yet only around 50% of Australian adults have a valid Will. To help close the gap, we’ve partnered with online Wills platforms Gathered Here and BARE to help you Write a Will for free, allowing you to prepare your Will in minutes with no obligation to leave a bequest to Bowel Cancer Australia. Whilst it’s not a requirement, writing a Will also gives you the opportunity to leave a lasting gift to the causes you care about. To find out more about how to leave a legacy gift to Bowel Cancer Australia head to #BowelCancerAustralia #Bequests #LegacyGiving @GatheredHere_AU @barecremation

With Decembeard now over for another year, we wanted to extend a very big thank you to everyone who fundraised and donated to help make real change happen. Whether living with or beyond bowel cancer, or participating in memory or support of a loved one, each participant had their own empowering story to share and very personal reasons for raising awareness and funds for Bowel Cancer Australia. A massive THANK YOU for helping us to champion what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life. We look forward to you joining us later this year for Decembeard 2026, pop it in your diary now! #BowelCancerAustralia #DecembeardAU #Never2Young

Break the poo taboo - exciting to see bowel cancer symptom messaging beginning to roll out nationally on Kleenex Complete Clean and Kleenex Luxury Quilts Toilet Paper. A wonderful collaboration between @BowelCancerAust and @Kleenex Australia. If you spot one of our new bowel cancer awareness packages in-store please do take a photo and share with us by tagging @BowelCancerAust #BowelCancerAustralia #BreakThePooTaboo

The countdown to World Cancer Day and the Upside Down Challenge has begun! Tuesday, February 4, is World Cancer Day, and we’re calling on you to play your part in creating a bowel cancer-free world. Challenge yourself to complete a gravity defying feat, whether big or small, and encourage others to do the same. Awareness and fundraising activities not only inspire, they bring us together and help grow our understanding. Cancer turns your world upside down. One action can inspire – many can change the world. Handstands, Cartwheels, Somersaults, Headstands, Yoga, Gymnastics, Skydiving, Bungee Jumping and more. Choose your challenge. #BowelCancerAustralia #WorldCancerDay #WorldCancerDay2025 #UnitedByUnique #UpsideDownChallenge @uicc

As we welcome in the new year many of us will reflect on the things we’re thankful for. Though it may not be the first thing on your mind, ensuring that you have a Will and that it is up-to-date is an important part of planning for your family and loved one’s future. Yet only around 50% of Australian adults have a valid Will. To help close the gap, we’ve partnered with online Wills platforms Gathered Here and BARE to help you Write a Will for free, allowing you to prepare your Will in minutes. Whilst it’s not a requirement, writing a Will also gives you the opportunity to leave a lasting gift to the causes you care about. Head to the Bowel Cancer Australia website to read more about our cause areas, achievements and how leaving a gift to Bowel Cancer Australia can make an everlasting impact. To find out more about how to leave a legacy gift to Bowel Cancer Australia click here #BowelCancerAustralia #Bequests #LegacyGiving @GatheredHere_AU @barecremation

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to the team at @FdcBuilding event attendees, sponsors and supporters. A record-breaking $450,000 was raised through FDC’s 18th annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon proudly supporting Bowel Cancer Australia and honouring the memory of team member Tim, who sadly passed away from early-onset bowel cancer. We are incredibly grateful, and the outstanding result is testament to the amazing passion, generosity and dedication of all involved. Over 15,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year and is the 2nd deadliest cancer and deadliest cancer for people aged 25-44. Early-onset bowel cancer is on the rise globally a growing concern, particularly among young Australians. FDC’s amazing fundraising efforts will assist Bowel Cancer Australia in the transformation of research and knowledge into accessible programs and services for patients. Funds raised will contribute towards the continuation of Bowel Cancer Australia’s vital initiatives: 1. Never2Young CPD Health Professional Education Modules 2. Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Research. 3. Specialist Bowel Cancer Nurses in regional areas. Heartfelt gratitude to Bowel Cancer Australia spokesperson Mark Allen, MCs Steff and Con, Tim’s loved ones in attendance, guests Matt Cross, Dr Penelope De Lacavalerie and patients with lived experience of early-onset bowel cancer, as well as all of the event partners, sponsors, volunteers and supporters who contributed to making the day so special. @MarkAllenGolf @SteffBBrown @MattCrossMP #BowelCancerAustralia #Never2Young

"I hit the jackpot with Beth... it's only now she's gone I realise how much I relied on her." On this episode of The Bottom Line Podcast, celebrity chef and author Justine Schofield opens up about the death of her best friend Beth to bowel cancer aged just 38. Justine talks about the joy of female friendship, her shared love of food with Beth and how the loss of her lifelong friend at such a young age has impacted her and their close-knit group. “There is something so very special and effortless about a female friendship and I hit the jackpot with Beth. She was always so optimistic and right to the very end she never gave up hope.” Keeping Beth’s memory alive, Justine is determined in raising awareness of bowel cancer and the red flag signs and symptoms to ensure Beth is never forgotten. A heartwarming and honest chat about friendship, food and lasting memories. Listen NOW ~ or access it wherever you usually get your podcasts. @justinecooks @steffbbrown #BowelCancerAustralia #Never2Young #TheBottomLinePodcast

Happy New Year from the Bowel Cancer Australia team! Wishing you and your loved ones all the very best for the year ahead. Join us in 2024 to help champion what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empower everyone affected to live their best life.

“As GP’s we care about people. We want to make a difference. We want a patient’s health span to match their life span with the best quality of life.” ~ Dr Sarah Chu. 1,708Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer under age 50 each year and it is the deadliest cancer for Australians aged 25-44. Upon completion of the Never2Young CPD series participants will be able to: + Quantify the risk and impact of bowel cancer in younger adults in Australia + Identify red flag signs and symptoms of and risk factors for bowel cancer in younger adults and prompt referral for further investigation. + Promote and advocate the recent changes to screening guidelines to increase the uptake in younger adults. December 31st is just around the corner – complete Bowel Cancer Australia’s five accredited Never2Young CPD series activities total 19 CPD hours. Health professionals can access the Never2Young CPD series here:

Big thanks and congratulations to all our beardtastic Decembeard participants - we're down to the final days of the month! Each beard grown, every dollar raised, and all the awareness you've helped create is having a direct impact. Bowel cancer is the third deadliest cancer in men, claiming the lives of 2,746 Aussie men each year. It is a disease that affects men of all ages - you are never too young to have bowel cancer. ⁠ That’s why we’ve dedicated the final month of the year to helping to break the ice with our beardy message and starting a conversation about a topic that can sometimes be difficult to discuss. Because 99% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if found early, but fewer than 50% are detected early. ⁠⁠ It's not too late to join the beardwagon, share your lived experience and help make real change happen. #BowelCancerAustralia #DecembeardAU #Never2Young

From all the team at Bowel Cancer Australia, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As the year draws to a close, we're also sending a big shout out to all of our incredible supporters. Bowel Cancer Australia is dedicated to championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life. We can't do this without your help - so a huge thank you.

Warmest thanks Michael and Aliesha, Bowel Cancer Australia spokesperson Dr. Penelope De Lacavalerie and @SarahConte2 from @SBSNews for raising awareness of early-onset bowel cancer. You are #Never2Young for bowel cancer.