"Living in the country we call the wait and lack of services, 'the regional health tax'"

The world at their feet, Rory and Olivia were building a life together when Rory was diagnosed with an aggressive mutation of bowel cancer and passed away soon after, aged just 34. Oliva chats about how she felt lost, angry and isolated after Rory's death and how she took up running as a way to survive the heaviness of grief. “I wasn’t just grieving the loss of Rory; I was grieving the old me.” ~ Olivia. However, a silver lining was the everlasting connections she made with Rory’s friends and family. Together they decided to run the Gold Coast Marathon and raise funds in Rory’s memory. Passionate about raising awareness, Olivia discusses the difficulties of losing a loved one but also the importance of finding joy in the small moments in life.

A/Prof Dan Buchanan, recently announced Director of the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) ARTEMIS, discusses the upcoming five-year research program that will investigate the aetiology, risk factors, tumourigenesis, exposures, microbiome and immune susceptibilities that are underlying early-onset bowel cancer. Funded by Bowel Cancer Australia, A/Prof Buchanan will lead the $3M Centre’s 22-member team across multiple disciplines looking to molecularly ‘tease apart’ these cancers to pinpoint the role of the gut microbiome in cancer development and develop more targeted approaches to assessing people’s risk that will guide a personalised prevention, screening and care pathway. The Centre was named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis, reflecting the team’s determination to track down what is causing early-onset bowel cancer and the alarming rise of the disease in young Australians.

Misdiagnosis, symptom dismissal and age bias dominated Sarah’s health for over five years until she was eventually diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer aged 29. Learn of Sarah’s persistence, vulnerability and resilience as she delves into the challenges of being heard as a young woman. Sarah discusses fertility preservation, how her endometriosis was rationalised as masking her bowel cancer symptoms and how her diagnosis amplified her mental health challenges and the lack of support after treatment. “You are kicked out of the nest and expected to fly. When the treatment ends is when the real healing begins – this is when you really sit with what has happened.”

This episode delves into the power of the collective voice as Natalie and Andrew discuss attending Bowel Cancer Australia’s preeminent advocacy event, Call on Canberra. "Call on Canberra is very special. . . Our voice together is incredibly powerful, and the change is really being seen now.” ~ Natalie Sharing their personal experiences both Natalie and Andrew discuss the barriers they encountered to diagnosis, the impact on them and their families and the need for greater awareness and investment in research. An electrician, Andrew discusses how despite being NED, the impacts of bowel cancer continue to be felt long after treatment ends. “I couldn’t leave the bathroom - I was literally stuck at home for 3 months and not knowing if I was ever going to be able to work and provide for my family again was very scary.” While Natalie, living the stage 4 disease, shares the ongoing mental drain of dealing with a lifetime of treatment as she juggles life as a single Mum. Listen to Andrew and Natalie as they talk about the lasting friendships they have developed through Call on Canberra and how together their voices are making a difference.

It’s Dry July and Megan and Kayla join Stephanie to talk about how bowel cancer impacted their families lives and why they are raising funds for Bowel Cancer Australia’s in-person specialist Bowel Care Nurses through the Dry July challenge, in memory of their husband and brother. Brendan and Brad were both diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer, in the late stages of the disease, after having had their symptoms dismissed. Talking frankly, Kayla urges Australians to be vigilant and not be told you are too young. "They said word for word - We can see a mass, but I wouldn’t be worried, he is too young and too fit for it to be anything sinister” - Kayla. In this heartfelt chat, Megan and Kayla reinforce the importance of having access to tailored support and personalised cancer, not only for the patient but also for carers and loved ones. “Losing Brendan, the impact has been profound.” - Megan.