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.
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.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
Committed to providing excellence in person-centred supportive care, Bowel Cancer Australia has launched the Bowel Cancer Care with Confidence CPD Series which reflects the latest evidence and optimal care for people living with bowel cancer.
Co-developed with clinical experts including Specialist Bowel Care Nurses, Counsellors, Exercise Physiologists and Clinical Nutritionists and those with lived experience, the CPD Series spans the care continuum from prevention, diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end of life care.
The Bowel Cancer Care with Confidence CPD Series comprise six interactive, self-paced learning modules totalling 20 CPD hours, providing comprehensive, evidence-based learning to enhance knowledge, confidence, and clinical competence in bowel cancer care.
The CPD Series is for Registered Nurses working with surgical, oncology and general practice settings who provide care for patients diagnosed with bowel cancer, as well as nurses seeking to expand their oncology knowledge and scope of practice.
Allied Health professionals will also be able to benefit from the CPD Series.
“The physical and mental challenges of living with bowel cancer are significant and ongoing, and the complementary services such as nursing, exercise physiology and psychological support have made a huge improvement to my quality of life,” said bowel cancer advocate, Jon Reidy.
“Bowel Cancer Australia’s supportive care guidance has complemented the rest of my care team perfectly and made such a material difference. It’s been like an upgrade from economy to business class in my cancer journey, making is significantly easier to bear,” he added.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most diagnosed and second deadliest cancer in Australia, yet people diagnosed with bowel cancer don’t receive the same level of support as those with other common cancers.
“The pathway of a bowel cancer patient is often stressful and challenging, resulting in feelings of isolation, fear and anxiety,” Manager of Bowel Care Services, Lisa Nicholson said.
“It is common for patients to see four to six different health professionals. Care coordination from a specialist nurse underpins the importance of the Nursing CPD Series to ensure optimal care throughout the continuum.”
“Nurses and allied healthcare professionals play a central role in assisting patients with personalised and tailored support to enable them to live well. Bowel Cancer Australia is committed to delivering impactful resources that make a real and meaningful difference,” she added.
Cancer nurses have a positive impact on patient outcomes, including but not limited to :
With over 163,000 Australians currently living with or beyond bowel cancer there is a need for a dedicated, highly skilled workforce of specialist bowel care nurses to coordinate their care.
This CPD Series will provide nurses with an update to date framework to strengthen their professional development and deliver the best possible care to those living with or beyond bowel cancer.
Online self-paced learning
Each education module takes approximately 2-4 hours to complete.
The complete program equates to 20 hours of learning.
Certificates of completion are available after each module as evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
The CPD Series is for Registered Nurses working within surgical, oncology and general practice settings who provide care to patients diagnosed with bowel cancer, as well as nurses seeking to expand their oncology knowledge and scope of practice.
The aim of the CPD Series is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based learning to enhance nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and clinical competence specifically in bowel cancer care.
The education modules follow the pathway for bowel cancer patients addressing each stage from prevention, screening, and diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end of life care.
The training highlights the nurse’s role in delivering patient-centred care across the supportive care domains.
Module 1: Introduction and Prevention of Bowel Cancer Module 2: Diagnosis and Treatment of Bowel Cancer Module 3: Living With and Beyond Bowel Cancer Module 4: Bowel Dysfunction, Stoma and Bladder Management Module 5: Treatment Side Effects and Sexual Health Module 6: Psychosocial, Social, Spiritual and Information Needs
At the end of the Bowel Cancer Care with Confidence: Nursing CPD series participants should be able to:
1800 727 336
Monday to Friday, during business hours
Other languages – call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 then ask for 1800 727 336 Hearing or speech assistance – contact us through the National Relay Service then ask for 1800 727 336