Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, share valuable resources and raise desperately needed funds to assist in prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment options and ongoing research. 

Here are some statistics you need to know:


  • Bowel Cancer is the third most common newly diagnosed cancer in Australia. 
  • Currently, 15, 531 Australians are diagnosed with Bowel Cancer a year. 
  • Bowel Cancer claims the lives of 5350 Australians every year, of which 315 people diagnosed are under the age of 50. 


 As Australia’s third most cause of death from cancer, we join the aim to educate and inform – if detected early, statistics show that there is a possible 90% chance of Bowel Cancer being successfully treated. 


What is Bowel Cancer? 

Bowel Cancer occurs when cells in the bowel lining become abnormal and start dividing and growing. Bowel Cancer, also known as Colorectal Cancer, can affect any part of the Colon or Rectum, which form part of the large intestine. 

 

Signs and Symptoms: 

Early Bowel Cancer may not have any signs or symptoms, which is why regular check-ups are recommended. Once the disease has advanced the most common symptoms may be: 


  • Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool 
  • Change in Bowel Habits – Any change that occurs and remains that is different from your normal habits – these vary from more bowel movements than usual, more constipation or smaller frequencies of bowel movements. 
  • Stool Changes – Change in colour; consistency; mucous in stools 
  • Gas, Bloating or Cramps in the Bowel or Rectum 
  • A feeling of fullness in the bowel after a bowel movement 
  • Pain or a lump in the Bowel or Rectum 


Risk and Prevention: 

Bowel Cancer affects both young and old and knowing your body is key. It is important to be aware of your family history and age factors that play a role in the development of Bowel Cancer. 


If you are aware of a family history of Bowel Cancer, Polyps or type 2 Diabetes or if you are 50 years and above, the risk of developing

 Bowel Cancer increases greatly, and it is important to be screened regularly. 


Lifestyle Risk Factors: 


  • A diet rich in red and processed meats 
  • Physical Inactivity 
  • Obesity 
  • Smoking 
  • Heavy Alcohol Use


Lifestyle Tips to Promote Gut Health: 


  • Eat a healthy Diet – Incorporate fibre rich foods such as vegetables, fruits and grains into your daily diet. 
  • Exercise Regularly – Go for a daily walk, the gym or spend time outdoors with family and friends. Get moving – moving aids the gut in processing and digesting foods by getting the digestive tract active and replenished with new cells. 
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight – This assist in overall health as well as Cancer prevention. 
  • Get Enough Calcium and Vitamin C – These are found in dairy products, citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and peppers.
  • Limit Alcohol – Be aware of your intake and where possible, choose alternative beverages. 
  • Quit Smoking - Its never too late!

 

GET SCREENED REGULARLY.


 Resources:


In 2018, the Australian Government implemented the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which sends out free Bowel Cancer Screening tests to all eligible Australians between the ages of 50 and 75 years old. If you are in NSW, act now and sign up for your Bowel Screening test at: 

DO THE TEST


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 Contact the Bowel Cancer Australia Hotline (Mon – Friday) 


1 800 727 336 


Join the Australia Bowel Cancer Wellness Beyond Diagnosis Movement 

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If you are under the age of 50 visit 

NTY – Never too Young 

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 Support Groups: 

Find Support Groups Australia Wide through the GI Cancer Organisation 

September 28, 2026
What a day! Thank you, Shoalhaven! 💙 Health Staff Australia was proud to be part of the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026, joining the community for a wonderful day focused on connection, inclusion, support and celebrating people of all abilities. With 97 stallholders coming together under one roof, the Expo provided an incredible opportunity for individuals, families, carers and community members to discover services, ask questions, share experiences and connect with organisations that can make a meaningful difference. Connecting with the Community Our Health Staff Australia team was there with our very own stand and table, and we were delighted to welcome so many people throughout the day. A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, took the time to chat with our team, asked questions and took our details. We loved meeting members of the Shoalhaven community and having the opportunity to introduce Health Staff Australia and the services and support we provide. "The conversations, connections and genuine interest we received made the day a real success for our team."
September 4, 2026
Health Staff Australia is excited to be attending the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026 once again as a supplier and exhibitor! Having attended in previous years, we know just how valuable this event is for bringing together people with disability, families, carers, support workers, health professionals, community organisations and service providers. Each year has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, have meaningful conversations and connect with the Shoalhaven community. We’re looking forward to being back at Bomaderry on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and we can’t wait to see both familiar faces and plenty of new ones. Come and Meet the Health Staff Australia Team Health Staff Australia will have a dedicated table at the Expo, and we’d love for you to come and introduce yourself! For our team, attending events like the Shoalhaven Disability Expo is about much more than simply being there as an exhibitor. It gives us the opportunity to connect with people directly, understand the needs of the community, answer questions and introduce people to the services and support we provide. Our previous experiences at the Expo have been incredibly positive. We’ve enjoyed meeting individuals and families, connecting with other service providers and professionals, and building relationships within the local community. These face-to-face conversations are an important part of what we do, and we’re excited to continue building on those connections this year. Whether you’re already familiar with Health Staff Australia or are discovering us for the first time, come and have a chat with our team. We’re always happy to answer questions, share information and talk about how our services may be able to support individuals, families and organisations. Discover Services, Support and Opportunities The Shoalhaven Disability Expo brings more than 90 exhibitors together under one roof, making it an excellent opportunity to discover the range of services and resources available throughout the Shoalhaven and surrounding communities.
July 28, 2026
For many people, home is much more than four walls and a roof. It's where routines are formed, confidence grows, friendships develop and life's everyday moments happen. For people living with disability, having the right home environment can make a significant difference to their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. That's where Supported Independent Living (SIL) comes in. Designed for NDIS participants who require support with everyday living, Supported Independent Living offers more than just accommodation. It provides a safe, supportive environment where people can develop practical life skills, work towards their personal goals and enjoy greater independence while receiving the level of support they need. Rather than focusing on what someone can't do, SIL focuses on what they can achieve with the right support beside them. A Home That Supports Independence Moving into a Supported Independent Living home is often a significant milestone. It represents the opportunity to gain greater independence while maintaining the reassurance of having experienced support workers available when needed. Every participant has unique goals, abilities and aspirations. Some may be working towards managing daily household tasks independently, while others may be focused on increasing community participation, building confidence or developing stronger social connections. SIL is designed to support these individual journeys, recognising that independence looks different for everyone. The beauty of Supported Independent Living is that support is personalised. Participants receive assistance that encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing help where it is needed, creating the perfect balance between independence and support. Everyday Skills That Build Confidence Many of the skills we use every day are things we often take for granted. Preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, managing appointments or keeping a home organised all contribute to living independently. Within a Supported Independent Living environment, these everyday activities become opportunities for learning, growth and achievement. Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills such as: Preparing healthy meals Shopping and budgeting Household cleaning and organisation Personal care routines Time management Using public transport Managing appointments Developing communication and social skills Every new skill learned contributes to greater confidence. Often, it's the small achievements that create the biggest sense of accomplishment, helping participants feel more capable and empowered in their daily lives. More Than Support—A Sense of Belonging One of the greatest benefits of Supported Independent Living is the sense of belonging it can provide. Living alongside others creates opportunities to form genuine friendships, share experiences and enjoy everyday moments together. Whether it's cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays, watching a favourite movie or heading out into the community, these shared experiences help reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections.  Feeling part of a household can have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping participants build confidence not only within their home but also in their wider community.