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:
-
Contact the Bowel Cancer Australia Hotline (Mon – Friday)
1 800 727 336
Join the Australia Bowel Cancer Wellness Beyond Diagnosis Movement
-
If you are under the age of 50 visit
-
Support Groups:
Find Support Groups Australia Wide through the GI Cancer Organisation
World Environment Day | 5 June When we think about healthcare, our minds naturally go to patient care, medical innovation, and improving lives. Sustainability is not always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet increasingly, the two are becoming impossible to separate. As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June , it’s a moment to reflect on how deeply connected environmental health and human health really are. From hospitals and aged care facilities to clinics and community health services, the way we design, power, and run healthcare systems has a real impact on the world around us. The Link We Can’t Ignore Healthcare professionals are often the first to see how environmental issues translate into real patient outcomes. Poor air quality, heatwaves, pollution, and climate-related illnesses are no longer distant concerns — they are becoming part of everyday clinical reality. At the same time, healthcare itself is a resource-heavy sector. It exists to save lives, but in doing so it relies on energy, water, single-use materials, and complex supply chains that all contribute to its environmental footprint. This creates an important challenge: how do we continue delivering high-quality care while reducing harm to the environment that ultimately supports human health? More Than an Environmental Issue Sustainability in healthcare is not just about emissions or waste reduction. It also touches the human side of healthcare delivery. The environments healthcare workers operate in matter. Lighting, air quality, space design, and even access to nature or green elements can influence stress levels, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. In a sector already facing workforce shortages and burnout pressures, this becomes even more important. Sustainable design and smarter systems don’t replace clinical care — they support the people delivering it. A Shift Already Happening in Australia Across Australia, healthcare providers are beginning to rethink how facilities operate. There is growing investment in energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy sources, improved waste management systems, and more responsible procurement practices. While change is gradual, the direction is clear: sustainability is becoming part of long-term healthcare planning rather than an optional extra.
The Human Touch in a Digital World: Why Support Workers Matter More Than Ever As healthcare continues to evolve, technology is playing a bigger role than ever before. From digital care records and remote monitoring systems to telehealth appointments and automated scheduling, the way care is delivered is becoming faster, smarter, and more connected. But even in this increasingly digital world, one thing remains irreplaceable — the human touch. At the heart of quality care are support workers. And no matter how advanced systems become, their role is more important now than ever before. Technology is transforming care — but it can’t replace connection Modern healthcare tools have improved efficiency and accessibility across the sector. Information can be shared instantly, care plans are more structured, and communication between providers has never been easier. However, care is not just about data, schedules, or systems. It is about people. A device can track vital signs, but it cannot offer reassurance during a difficult moment. A digital system can record needs, but it cannot interpret emotion, tone, or unspoken concerns. This is where support workers step in — bridging the gap between clinical care and human experience.
Why the country’s fastest-growing sector is facing a critical workforce shortage Australia is facing an unprecedented challenge in care — a data-driven crisis that is rapidly reshaping the healthcare landscape. As demand for aged care and disability support accelerates, the supply of qualified care workers is struggling to keep pace. The result? A “perfect storm” where providers are under pressure, workers are stretched thin, and the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. The Care Crisis: A Sector Under Pressure The care and support sector is now Australia’s largest employing industry , accounting for over 16% of the national workforce . Yet despite its size, demand continues to surge at a pace the system is not fully prepared for. Aged care and disability support roles are projected to be among the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade , driven by both demographic and policy changes. Simply put: more Australians need care than ever before — and that number is only rising. A Demographic Shift Driving Demand At the heart of this demand is a significant and accelerating demographic shift. Australia’s population aged 65 and over is expected to increase by more than 2 million (67.8%) between 2024 and 2044 The number of Australians aged 85+ — those with the highest care needs — will grow by 67% between 2024 and 2035 The number of people requiring care is projected to rise from 1.5 million today to 2.5 million by 2050 This ageing population is not just growing — it is living longer, often with more complex health needs that require consistent, skilled support. At the same time, the expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to increase demand for qualified disability support workers, further intensifying pressure on the system. The Workforce Shortage Crunch While demand accelerates, workforce supply is falling behind. Australia could face a shortfall of 400,000 aged care workers by 2050 The NDIS sector alone requires an additional 128,000 workers by mid-2025 Staff turnover remains high, with attrition rates between 17% and 25% in disability support roles This shortage is not just about numbers — it’s about sustainability. High turnover, burnout, and ongoing recruitment challenges are making it increasingly difficult for providers to maintain consistent, high-quality care. Why Agencies Like Health Staff Australia Are Essential In this high-pressure environment, healthcare providers are realising they cannot solve workforce challenges alone. This is where specialist staffing agencies like Health Staff Australia (HSA) play a critical role.
