| Bowel cancer is Australia's second deadliest cancer, and the deadliest cancer for people aged 25-44. Yet it’s still the cancer no one wants to talk about. In 2023, we continued to challenge perceptions, motivating action through dynamic campaigns. |
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In June 2023, we hosted the inaugural Call on Canberra event.
Fifty Australians from around the country impacted by early-onset bowel cancer visited Parliament House to raise awareness and advocate for important policy change.
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In October 2023, a key five-year advocacy campaign reached a milestone when the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) endorsed updated clinical practice guidelines recommending lowering the bowel cancer screening start age to 45 (previously 50). |
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| We continue to advocate for immediate affordable access following Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval of a medicine, so patients can benefit fromlife-saving and life-extending treatments sooner, while the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) price negotiations continue. |
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| We continue to advocate for colonoscopy within 30 days from first healthcare presentation for people experiencing bowel cancer symptoms or a positive screen, because when detected early, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. Only 15.6%of participants with a positive screen received their colonoscopy within the recommended 30 days. |
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| Bowel Cancer Australia and our dedicated supporters continue to raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms, debunking the myth of it being an old person's disease. |
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 | | The final instalment of Bowel Cancer Australia’s bold 'Give a $#*! About Your Bowel' advertising campaign featuring acclaimed actress Miriam Margolyes OBEaired in the lead-up to Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. |
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| In June 2023, we launched the latest Australian research, which revealed younger people with bowel cancer symptoms found themselves self-advocating as the only consistent and reliable resource for overcoming age bias, barriers to diagnosis, and optimising outcomes for the deadliest cancer in those aged 25-44. |
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Donations received on 21 June were matched, doubling the impact for early-onset bowel cancer research to build a path toward a cure.
Over $236,795 was raised to fund promising, high-impact, early-onset bowel cancer research to help improve our knowledge and understanding of the disease. |
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| Our signature awareness and fundraising event in June reinforced the importance of being bowel cancer aware and not ignoring symptoms.
It was the most successful Bowel Cancer Awareness Month to date, with mentions in over 676 news stories, and reaching more than 25.4 million people. |
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| We provided practical and emotional support to Australians affected by bowel cancer, and built communities through shared experiences. Through our support team, programs and resources, we empowered people with the tools and knowledge to be advocates for their own health. |
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| Eight-in-ten bowel cancer patients identify access to a specialist nurse in-person or by phone as one of the most important aspects of their care coordination. We have been working to close the gap over the past 12 years by offering telehealth support to bowel cancer patients across Australia, long before it became common practice. |
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| With over 20 years' experience as a personal trainer and more recently, five years as fitness educator with the Australian Institute of Fitness, Stage IV bowel cancer thriver, Anthony, has launched Meaningful Movement, a series of low, medium and high intensity exercise programs specifically designed for bowel cancer patients before, during and after treatment. |
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| We funded a new specialist Bowel Care Nurse in Ballarat who acts as a point of contact for patients and their families as they navigate the health system – providing advice, education, support and direct patient care to the regional community. We also expanded our telehealth support services to provide specialist psychosocial care throughout the care continuum. |
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| Inadequate bowel preparation is observed in around 7% of all colonoscopies. With more than 900,000 colonoscopies performed annually in Australia, this can equate to as many as 63,000 inadequate bowel preparations leading to poor or cancelled colonoscopies. We launched a new resource to help patients ‘bowel prep’ prior to colonoscopy. |
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| We invested in research that has the potential to improve bowel cancer survival, and build a path towards a cure. We also collaborated to make clinical research more accessible for people living with bowel cancer. |
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| 2023 marked the fifth anniversary of Professor Mark Molloy’s appointment as the Lawrence Penn Chair of Bowel Cancer Research.
The University of Sydney’s partnership with Bowel Cancer Australia provides a vital platform for accelerating global efforts to reduce the burden of bowel cancer through pioneering research. |
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| Bowel Cancer Australia was a funding partner for the 2023 round of the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme, with a $600,000 funding commitment over three years. Through the scheme, we aim to support innovative and collaborative research across all aspects of early-onset bowel cancer. |
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| We raised funds to continue our life-saving work and inspired others to do the same. Your tireless fundraising efforts have made a big impact! |
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| Just two weeks after his bowel cancer diagnosis and surgery, Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia driver Mike Sheargold created the N2YGT3 campaign to raise awareness and funds for bowel cancer, with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 proudly displaying a brand new Bowel Cancer Australia livery. The campaign exceeded its revised target, raising $168,000. |
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In July, thanks to the support of 728 fundraisers, Dry July raised over $365,000 for Bowel Cancer Australia, helping to fund more specialist Bowel Care Nurses.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s specialist Bowel Care Nurse program supports the employment of dedicated Bowel Care Nurses in regional communities across the country. |
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| On 11 March, Amy and Sarah hosted the second ‘Time is Precious Ball’ at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.
They put an incredible amount of time and effort in to host 400 guests alongside guest speaker and Bowel Cancer Australia Ambassador, Jessica Kidd. They raised $82,014 with 100% of proceeds donated to Bowel Cancer Australia. |
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| Rhonda and Rob have been holding the darts day fundraising event for ten years in memory of their brother Brian. 2023 was the ten-year anniversary of Brian’s passing, and approximately 80 people attended, including family who flew from interstate for the event. The 2023 fundraiser raised a total of $5,852. To date, the annual event has raised $45,266! |
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 | Bowel Cancer Australia is the trusted national voice on bowel cancer, championing what matters most to people affected by the disease. Click here to view the timeline of our achievements. |
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