Matt D – Marathon Mission

“For those who don’t know, 2024 was a year that completely changed my life.

At the start of April 2024, at the age of 36, after about a month of symptoms that I now know were warning signs, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer. It all started with getting checked out and having some samples sent off, which came back showing blood. From there, I was told I needed further testing and a colonoscopy. Because of my age, I was reassured it would likely just be a few polyps or haemorrhoids and nothing serious.

Two days later, I went in for the procedure again, being told I had nothing to worry about. When I woke up, I was told the doctor would come speak to me shortly and that they were just going to get my wife. Straight away, I knew something wasn’t right. We were taken into a separate room, and that’s where I was told I had a 10cm tumour in my bowel, and ‘sorry Mr Duggan, you have bowel cancer’.

Three weeks later, at the start of May, I had surgery and spent a week in the hospital recovering. We were meant to be in Bali on holiday at the time… but life had other plans.

Another three weeks passed, and I began chemotherapy – 12 rounds, one week on, one week off. Every second Tuesday I’d head into town, meet with my oncologist, then sit in a chair for four hours getting chemo. After that, I’d go home hooked up to a portable pump connected to a port under my skin, which would run for two more days before heading back in to be disconnected on Thursdays. This went on for six months.

I kept all of this pretty quiet at the time. I didn’t want anything in my day-to-day life to change, and I didn’t want sympathy or to constantly be answering, ’Are you okay?’ even though I know it always comes from a good place. I didn’t even tell my brothers until three months after being diagnosed.

I’m not sharing this for attention or sympathy. I’m sharing it to create awareness. If this post gets even one person to listen to their body, get checked early, and avoid going through what I went through, then it’s worth it.

Bowel cancer is often seen as something that affects older people, and screening doesn’t even start until 45. But the reality is, more and more young people are being diagnosed every day. If something doesn’t feel right, please don’t ignore it. Go and see your GP. Don’t put it off. I’m lucky I acted when I did, but even then, I’d had signs for a few weeks before making that call.

Right now, I’m in the surveillance stage of my treatment. I had CT scans and a colonoscopy last year, which came back clear – so we’re heading in the right direction.

There’s no way I could have gotten through any of this without my amazing wife Kelly. She is, without a doubt, the strongest person I know.

Looking ahead, I want to turn this into something positive. I’m planning to take on Matt’s Marathon Mission again this year in May 2026. This time running the length of Tasmania in 10 days (550 km) to raise money for bowel cancer research and continue spreading awareness, especially around early-onset cases.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my story. And if you have any questions, or you’re worried about yourself or someone close to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.” ~ Matt

If you were inspired by Matt’s awareness and fundraising efforts and would like to support Bowel Cancer Australia through a sporting event, please get in touch with us through our webform.