The Bottom Line Podcast Bowel Cancer Australia

Bowel cancer survivor, former member parliament and moderator of Bowel Cancer Australia's young-onset bowel cancer webinar series, Margaret Fitzherbert chats to Stephanie about the importance of politely challenging medical professionals and seeking a second opinion.
Diagnosed in her early 40's, Margaret underwent treatment for stage 3 bowel cancer whilst serving in public office.
"Having experienced bowel cancer as a patient and viewed it through the prism of public policy, I've learned that there are many ways we can improve survival rates. What's lacking is the will. With bowel cancer now the deadliest cancer for people aged 25-44, this must change."

Chantel from Googlebox Australia was just 14 when her mum was first diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and 18 when she passed away. During her important teenage years, she was looking after her Mum, trying to get through school while her friends were off enjoying life.
Watching her mum slowly succumb to the disease had long term mental health ramifications for Chantel.
Chantel tells Stephanie why she is passionate about sharing her story as a young carer, raising bowel cancer and mental health awareness and her passion for helping other young people going through a similar situation.

Cal Wilson is one of Australia’s most popular comedians and a perennial favourite on television shows and discovered she was far more resilient than she thought when participating in the exotic challenges on I’m a Celebrity Get Me out of Here!
Chatting to Stephanie, Cal shares why she wanted to raise awareness for Bowel Cancer Australia as her nominated charity. “Both my Mum and my neighbour had bowel cancer and I felt helpless but wanted to do my bit to help. I’m not a surgeon, but I can talk so I wanted to use my voice to raise awareness.”
With her own unique brand of comedy, Cal’s honest but hilarious take on all things poo and talks candidly about her families 'poo shyness', sending your screening test in the mail via '$#*! posting' and how important it is to have a laugh no matter what the situation.

COVID-19 has impacted all Australians but for bowel cancer patients navigating the healthcare system and accessing treatment, the pandemic has added complexities, some unforeseen, to an already stressful situation.
Stage 4 bowel cancer patient and advocate, Nicole chats to Stephanie about the importance of being an active participant in your treatment and care, never taking no for an answer and the profound loneliness she sometimes feels as a patient in the middle of a pandemic.
Nicole explains how being stranded in your room with a possible infectious disease and without the support you need as a cancer patient, is one of the more harrowing impacts of COVID-19.

Pain specialist, Dr Tim Hucker explains that cancer-related pain can occur at any time and isn’t always due to the cancer itself as a number of the treatments used in cancer care can cause pain - such as pain following surgery or peripheral nerve pain after chemotherapy.
Stephanie and Dr Hucker discuss the connection between pain, anxiety and depression, and recovery outcomes as well as how living with uncontrolled cancer-related pain can affect how people choose and respond to treatments.
Dr Hucker also describes advances in pain management and the importance of reporting pain 'loud and clear' to your medical team so a pain management program can be tailored to your needs.

Experiencing ongoing vomiting and stomach pain, Gemma was diagnosed during the Covid-19 pandemic with stage IV bowel cancer at the age of 35. Stephanie and Gemma talk about the emotional toll of being isolated from her family and friends throughout treatment.
Gemma discusses peritoneal metastases, including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which involves filling the abdominal cavity with chemotherapy that has been heated (also known as 'hot chemotherapy') following surgery to remove cancerous tumours.
Passionate about raising awareness and helping other young people, Gemma also discusses the need to connect with a good support network and encourages people to saviour the special milestones and enjoy the things that make you happy.