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Having recently passed my 4-year "cancer-versary" it has given me a chance to reflect; not only on my own treatment pathway but also how much the early-onset landscape has changed.
 
I was diagnosed back in October of 2019, three days before turning 40, with Stage 4 bowel cancer with lymph node involvement and 20+ liver metastases. At the time I thought I was such an outlier as I had always viewed bowel cancer as an old person's disease. My interactions with my medical team including colorectal surgeon, GP, and oncologist further supported the fact that I was "unlucky”, and I was told multiple times in the lead up to my diagnosis that I was too young for bowel cancer. Only now are we realising the alarming increase in incidence of early-onset bowel cancer, with 1 in 9 cases under 50 years of age.

My treatment began with palliative chemotherapy as my tumour load was considered inoperable, but with a great response to first-line chemotherapy, and after a few surgical opinions and MDTs (multidisciplinary team meetings) I was approved for major liver resection in 2020. Fast forward three years and one low anterior bowel resection, a second and third liver resection throughout 2021/22 and now 50 chemotherapy rounds, I stand face-to-face with another major surgery (peritonectomy) in January 2024. The aim is to remove a few small tumours embedded in my abdominal cavity.

During the last two years I've been actively involved in Bowel Cancer Australia's online Facebook community "The Movement" and have found great support amidst this community of patients and carers and the various services offered by Bowel Cancer Australia. But what this has highlighted is the alarming rise in incidence of early-onset bowel cancer in Australia; newly diagnosed patients (several in their 20s and 30s) with an eerily similar back story to mine — minimal symptoms to act on at diagnosis, and often delayed action due to the now antiquated adage "you are too young for bowel cancer". This message needs to change!

Currently I'm super excited to be working on an initiative with Bowel Cancer Australia due to launch in January 2024.
 
I am creating an exercise sub-group in The Movement, focusing on goal setting, accountability, education, and support. I am building a workout hub/library that will continue to be added to addressing the kind of sessions suitable for patients - like varied cardio workouts, pool rehab, balance for neuropathy, core stability, resistance training, gym-based sessions, home-based sessions, yoga, flexibility, peri-operative conditioning, as well as stoma-aware options.
 
All exercises can be tailored by the patient and overseen by myself as a (semi-retired) Fitness Educator.
 
I can already see the benefit of this program with our small trial group and once rolled out to the greater bowel cancer community I am confident it will build into a valuable FREE service improving patient wellbeing and livelihood after diagnosis for many years to come.
 
The highlight of the past four years was attending the inaugural "Call on Canberra" event in June 2023 with 50 other early-onset patients and carers to raise awareness and invoke action with the decision-makers in Parliament House. The result of this initiative has not fully materialised yet but a reduction of the recommended screening age from 50 to 45 years is a huge step in the right direction.
 
During December it's the perfect time to support Bowel Cancer Australia's Christmas Appeal to raise much needed funds to be allocated towards research into early-onset bowel cancer. No doubt with a renewed research focus, broader screening programs and endorsement from State and Federal government we will make a big impact on improved treatment pathways, advancements in bowel cancer prevention strategies and better overall patient outcomes and quality of life. I'm sure you will all agree — a cause worth fighting for!
 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Bowel Cancer Australia this Christmas to help build a path towards a cure.

2023 Christmas Appeal Anthony


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