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.
Exercise plays an important role in bowel cancer prevention, treatment, recovery and recurrence.
It can help reduce the number and severity of treatment-related side effects and symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, mental health wellbeing, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), as well as improving or maintaining function during and following treatment.
Observational studies have shown that being physically active (participating in 150+ minutes of moderate+ intensity) every week following a bowel cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced risk of recurrence and better overall survival.
Our Bowel Care Exercise Physiologist is trained to provide information and advice about exercise to help you manage bowel cancer treatment, recovery, and recurrence.
They can put together an individual exercise program that is safe, effective and appropriate for you, taking into consideration your current capacity, as well as help you set practical goals to incorporate exercise into your daily life.
Our Bowel Care Exercise Physiologist can also provide guidance and support when exercising with a stoma and works alongside our Bowel Care Nutritionists to create a tailored menu plan and exercise routine, just for you.
Our Bowel Cancer Exercise Physiologist can develop plans to help with:
You can email Bowel Cancer Australia’s Bowel Care Exercise Physiologist any time for advice or to request a callback or face-to-face video call.
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
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.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s specialist Bowel Care Nurse program is helping to address this gap, by funding in-person Bowel Care Nurses in hospitals and Cancer Centres across Australia.
The 100% community funded program enables people with bowel cancer to receive dedicated in-person clinical, psychosocial and emotional support from a specialist Bowel Care Nurse in the place where they are receiving treatment. Improving equity of access to personalised care and tailored support, and allowing more people to access coordinated care closer to home.
An in-person specialist Bowel Care Nurse is a registered nurse who has specialist knowledge and experience caring for people with bowel cancer, serving as their main point of contact during and beyond cancer treatment, and supporting and communicating with them and their loved ones.
Making sure patients and their families understand their options and receive the support they need – from that initial point of diagnosis all the way through their treatment pathway.
Specialist Bowel Care Nurses provide a single point of contact for people with bowel cancer, assisting with continuity of care from diagnosis, helping to improve bowel cancer outcomes by identifying and bridging gaps in the patient journey and enabling patients to take a more active role in their bowel care treatment, and assisting with care coordination, while providing advice, education, support, and direct patient care.
With the support of Bowel Cancer Australia’s specialist telehealth support team, each specialist Bowel Care Nurse helps local patients take full advantage of Bowel Cancer Australia’s support network and extensive information resources covering everything from bowel cancer prevention to palliative care, including a free Helpline with telehealth Bowel Care Nurses, Nutritionists and Psychosocial Support Workers, bowel friendly recipes, nurse moderated Facebook Group, monthly podcast and a national Peer-to-Peer Network with Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia seeks to fulfil unmet need throughout the care continuum provides funding for specialist Bowel Care Nurses in communities across Australia.
Each nomination is considered on its merits. Funding is only available for the employment of specialist Bowel Care Nurses, and all locations are considered based on the need and priority of that need.
Bowel Care Nurse nominations can be submitted at any time, with proposals reviewed quarterly. All applications will remain active for each review process.
Nominations must include a key contact at the relevant hospital or health service.
Bowel Cancer Australia is dedicated to championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life.
We continue to raise funds to expand our specialist Bowel Care Nurses program so more patients can receive support from an in-person Bowel Care Nurse.
Every bowel cancer patient deserves to have access to a dedicated Bowel Care Nurse.
“This role complements my stomal therapy role; the two are very similar in that you’re supporting people who may have follow-up appointments in Melbourne or ongoing treatment locally. It’s really rewarding because you’re supporting somebody through a difficult time, and being based locally you understand the barriers, like getting to a Melbourne appointment. People have got one person they can call and instead of getting that run-around, I can help organise that for them.” ~ Shepparton Bowel Care Nurse Lynda.
“During their treatment, local patients often meet with several different teams along the way, and navigating the information and appointments can be overwhelming at times. Having a centralised point of contact to provide clarity and reassurance has been warmly welcomed here at the service.” ~ Ballarat Bowel Care Nurse Jaymee.
“I have so many patients who inspire me due to their positive approaches and resilience in the face of a life-changing cancer diagnosis. Each day in my role is different as each patient with a diagnosis of bowel cancer is unique. I spend time with each patient to discuss their individual needs and support them to set realistic goals that will help them during their bowel cancer journey.
“My role is very rewarding, as I am able to connect with patients on a personal and emotional level to make a difference in their cancer care journey and hopefully contribute to better health outcomes for them. I am proud to be a constant, dedicated point of contact for our patients during what is a difficult time in their lives.” ~ Icon Cancer Centre Rockingham Bowel Care Nurse Sunette.
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is being there for my patients, offering a listening ear and providing support. It’s fulfilling to find ways to ease their cancer journey and reduce their stress. The relief I see on their faces when they realise that they don’t have to face this challenge alone is incredibly rewarding.”” ~ Icon Cancer Centre Revesby Bowel Care Nurse Rachel.
In November 2023, the Australian Government announced an additional investment over four years in more cancer nurses and care for patients through the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program (ACNNP).
The ACNNP aims to improve equitable access to high quality, multidisciplinary and integrated cancer services for all people with cancer, irrespective of their type of cancer or where they live.
As part of ACNNP, $50.5 million will be provided to the McGrath Foundation for the recruitment of up to 100 new cancer care nurses in health and hospital services and to support the transition of existing government funded tumour specific cancer nurses to the new model, resulting in almost 250 Australian Government funded cancer nurses by 2026-27.
Since 2011, Bowel Cancer Australia has provided a well-established specialist telehealth support service tailored to the unique needs of people impacted by bowel cancer throughout the country. The Australian Government engaged Bowel Cancer Australia to leverage and expand the Charity’s specialist telehealth services through the ACNNP, receiving $3.18m over four years for an additional 6 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.
Since 2018, Bowel Cancer Australia has funded in-person specialist Bowel Care Nurses. The Charity receives no government funding for its program. To improve equity of access to personalised care and tailored support, allowing more people to access coordinated care closer to home, Bowel Cancer Australia will continue to invest in this important 100% community-funded initiative.
Current locations of Bowel Cancer Australia in-person specialist Bowel Care Nurses and McGrath Cancer Care Nurses with specialty in GI cancers are mapped below.