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Bowel
Cancer
Awareness
Month

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Bowel Cancer Care

with Confidence

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Early-Onset Bowel Cancer

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Guideline Prioritisation

Specialist Support

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Early-Onset Bowel Cancer

Centre of Research Excellence

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Never2Young

CPD Series

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Know the
red flag signs
& symptoms

Talk to your GP

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum.

It may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer depending on where the cancer is located.

The colon and rectum are parts of the large intestine.

What is bowel cancer?
An anatomical illustration of a human torso with the intestines highlighted in red and a tumor indicated.

Screening

Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.

Medical guidelines state the recommended strategy for population screening in Australia, directed at those at average risk of bowel cancer and without relevant symptoms, is faecal immunochemical testing every 2 years, starting at age 45 years and continuing to age 74 years.

Screening options
A display box for ColoVantage home bowel screening tests with cheerful images of people and informational text.
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Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of newly diagnosed cancer and second deadliest in Australia.

Map of Australia with the text
14904
Australians are told they have bowel cancer each year
5372
lives lost to bowel cancer each year
99 %
of cases can be treated successfully when detected in the earliest stage
163000
Australians living with or beyond bowel cancer.

We’re here for you

Bowel Cancer Australia’s essential support services are uniquely designed for you, whether living with or beyond bowel cancer, providing an extra layer of support to the trusted relationship you have with your treating medical team.

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Specialist support

Our essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support.

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Peer-to-peer network

Australia’s only national support group for bowel cancer patients – newly diagnosed, living with or beyond bowel cancer.

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The Movement

Our nurse moderated Facebook Group, with monthly expert guests, is a place to connect with other patients and share lived experiences.

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Meaningful Movement

Our closed personal trainer guided Facebook Group to assist patients seeking to prioritise exercise alongside treatment.

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BottomLine Podcast

Our monthly podcast sharing stories, lived experiences and health professional knowledge about bowel cancer treatment and care.

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Free patient resources

Covering all aspects of bowel cancer: prevention, early detection, diagnosis, surgery, treatment, and adjusting to the ‘new’ normal.

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Lived-experiences

A valuable resource if you find it helpful to read stories of others who are living with or have been affected by bowel cancer.

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Call on Canberra

Our Never2Young Advocacy Agenda seeks to improve care experiences and health outcomes for younger people.

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Bowel friendly recipes

High and low fibre receipts by our Nutritionists, uniquely designed if you are recovering from surgery and/or living with a stoma. 

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With your support,
we’re making an impact!

Bowel Cancer Australia is the leading community-funded charity dedicated to championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life.

Learn more about how your support of Bowel Cancer Australia is contributing in a meaningful and impactful way that produces measurable benefits. 

Our Impact

Latest news, stories and recipes

Bowel Cancer News
Fruzaqla logo with the name in blue and the drug name "fruquintinib" in purple beneath it.

Fruzaqla listed on the PBS

Bowel Cancer Australia welcomes the listing of fruquintinib (Fruzaqla) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 May 2026. This treatment option is for …
Learn more
Bowel Cancer News
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Early-onset bowel cancer research grant awarded

Congratulations to A/Prof Daniel Buchanan and his research team on securing a $2.5 million grant to investigate the increasing incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer …
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Community Loved One
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Elsie’s Colour for Cancer

“My dear friend Mos was diagnosed with rectal cancer around the same time that I was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer (at the …
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Bowel Cancer News
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Epigenetic fingerprint ties pesticide to early-onset bowel cancer

A new culprit – pesticide exposure – has emerged alongside known risk factors smoking and diet as a possible contributor to the rising incidence …
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Bowel Cancer News
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AI opens pathway to improved targeting of bowel cancer treatment

Scientists in the UK and Ireland have developed a method to help identify patients whose metastatic bowel cancer is most likely to respond to …
Learn more
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Timeline of events & achievements

Bowel Cancer Australia is the trusted national voice on bowel cancer, championing what matters most to people affected by bowel cancer.

Over the past two decades, advancements have occurred in prevention, detection, research, and treatment of bowel cancer, and with your support, Bowel Cancer Australia has played a leading role.

Our Achievements