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.
Gastroenterologist
A/Prof John Ding was the founding member and Chair of the Young Gastroenterology Society of Australia and lead gastroenterologist for the National Bowel Cancer Program at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.
Having completed his PhD at one of the world’s leading centres in colorectal cancer and IBD care, St Mark’s Hospital, London, he now divides his time between private practice and a senior medical specialist appointment at St Vincent’s Hospital where he is a part of the gastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease units. He teaches gastroenterologists and trainees and is an invited speaker nationally and internationally in the field of gastroenterology.
He has held numerous grants awarded by government through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), with an appointment onto its European committee. His PhD research investigating the personalisation of medical therapy for patients with IBD using microbiome and metabolic profiling has led to numerous publications and been cited internationally.
A/Prof John Ding engages and leads on research projects in numerous areas through international consortium GETAID, Imperial College, St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne. He additionally holds the position of head of the IBD Clinical Trials Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital and lead for the National Bowel Cancer Program.
He supervises PhD students and post-doctoral researchers who actively investigate causes for bowel and gastrointestinal diseases. His current research also focusses on early-onset bowel cancer and how to improve access to screening. He has co-founded and is the director of a medical healthcare company, Medcompanion.com.au that is aimed at improving patient care with bowel preparation instructions for colonoscopy.
For assistance with media enquiries, including arranging interviews with any of our team (e.g. specialists, nurses, nutritionists, CEO) patients or loved ones from around Australia.