In 2019, Dr. José Perea, a bowel cancer researcher in Madrid, Spain, shared his vision for an international research symposium that would bring together the sharpest minds focused on young-onset bowel cancer, also called early-age onset colorectal cancer or ‘EAO CRC’, with our US colleagues at Fight Colorectal Cancer.

A strong partnership was formed and the inaugural EAO CRC International Symposium was developed. In 2020, the second annual symposium became a virtual event and grew to more than 500 registrants from 17 countries.

To reflect the event’s vision and growth, the third annual symposium was renamed Rally on Research, included the patient voice in discussions, and built a bridge between researchers, clinicians, and advocates. More than 500 thought leaders, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates from 35 countries across six continents came together to discuss the impacts of the rising rates of EAO CRC and what the advocacy and medical community can do to change this trend.

Bowel Cancer Australia's involvement in the event included active participation on the Planning Committee, an abstract presentation about how we are challenging perceptions and motivating action, and powerful insights shared by Sophie Boffa as part of the Patient and Caregiver Panel.

Video recordings from each of the 2021 sessions of the symposium are available to watch along with a recap of the event here. 

The International Symposium will continue to be an annual convening of the international scientific and advocacy communities in 2022.