Your stories
Patricia's story
Patricia Johnson, a 55 year old from Highgate, Western Australia had no symptoms or family history of bowel cancer, and had never heard of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
‘I received a kit and an invite in the mail and thought why not? I was extremely lucky as the Program caught my cancer right at the beginning. Once the kit came back positive, I went for the follow-up colonoscopy whereby they cut it out at the same time as the colonoscopy. So, I didn’t even know I had it until the colonoscopy was over.’
‘I’ve told everyone about the kit and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, and everyone asks where is my kit and why haven’t I got one in the mail? I think there is a real need for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program to expand.’
We asked Australians affected by bowel cancer to share their experience. Many of the stories they shared have been featured in our campaign album, copies of which have been sent to every Member of Parliament across Australia. Click here to view the Get Behind Bowel Screening campaign album (3.32MB PDF)
Have you been affected by bowel cancer?
By sharing your experience you can help Cancer Council raise awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of free screening for everyone over 50.
We are keen to hear from anyone who has been affected directly or indirectly by bowel cancer. This can include patients, friends, family, carers and health professionals.
And if you feel the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program has had an impact on your life, we would especially like to hear from you.
John Clarke and Barry Crocker back the Get Behind Bowel Screening campaign. Listen to their radio announcements here:
John Clarke [452kb mp3]
Barry Crocker [1.1MB mp3]
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