The Bottom Line Podcast

Bowel Cancer Australia
The Bottom Line Podcast

Bowel Cancer Australia's award winning podcast hosted by bowel cancer survivor, Stephanie, is a monthly chat sharing stories and lived-experiences. Hearing from those living with or beyond bowel cancer, as well as health professionals involved in bowel cancer treatment and care, can be a valuable resource that can encourage and inspire others. Please note, podcasts may occasionally contain content that some listeners may find distressing.

  1. 'I hit the jackpot with Beth ... it's only now she's gone I realise how much I relied on her.'

    JAN 5

    'I hit the jackpot with Beth ... it's only now she's gone I realise how much I relied on her.'

    On this episode, celebrity chef and author Justine Schofield opens up about the death of her best friend Beth to bowel cancer aged just 38. Justine talks about the joy of female friendship, her shared love of food with Beth and how the loss of her lifelong friend at such a young age has impacted her and their close-knit group. “There is something so very special and effortless about a female friendship and I hit the jackpot with Beth. She was always so optimistic and right to the very end she never gave up hope.” Keeping Beth’s memory alive, Justine is determined in raising awareness of bowel cancer and the red flag signs and symptoms to ensure Beth is never forgotten. A heartwarming and honest chat about friendship, food and lasting memories.

    34 min
  2. 'I looked well and people were assessing the outside of me ...'

    12/08/2024

    'I looked well and people were assessing the outside of me ...'

    A long-time bowel cancer advocate, Jodie’s delayed diagnosis was 'explained away' as female related issues, pregnancy and being a young Mum.  It wasn’t until she advocated for herself that she finally got the answer to her ongoing symptoms – Stage 3 bowel cancer. 'Self-advocacy is my big message - if something doesn’t feel right, look right and you’re not happy with the responses you're receiving, you need to find another option.'

    25 min
  3. 'After my surgery I just wanted to run ... So, I decided to train for a half marathon!'

    11/06/2024

    'After my surgery I just wanted to run ... So, I decided to train for a half marathon!'

    For avid runner, Brendan, looking after his mental health and body through running was a daily routine. But when he was struggling to complete his normal running regime and feeling tired and exhausted, he decided to see a GP. After being turned away twice and told it was nothing to be concerned about, Brendan listened to his body and sought a second opinion and was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer aged 38.

    27 min
  4. 'GP's should not use age to dismiss the possibility of bowel cancer.'

    10/06/2024

    'GP's should not use age to dismiss the possibility of bowel cancer.'

    Diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and HER2 gene mutation at 35, Pei, (a GP registrar) chats with Stephanie regarding the importance of GP’s treating the patient in front of them without age bias.  Pei talks about her realistic and pragmatic approach to living her life with a terminal illness and how her love of the outdoors keeps her focused on the 'now'. 'I live my life in 9-week cycles – scan to scan – but I am always trying to focus on making the most of the present.' Pei’s dual role as both patient and health professional provides a unique perspective.

    24 min
  5. 'After surgery, the proximity of a toilet was my highest priority'

    09/11/2024

    'After surgery, the proximity of a toilet was my highest priority'

    TV writer and director, Darren Ashton, discusses with Stephanie how his stage 3 bowel cancer diagnosis informed the tone of the hit ABC show, 'Austin'. 'When you're knocking on deaths door, you think about the important things. I wanted to put something joyous into the world and this is why “Austin” became a positive show.' In this frank chat Darren talks about the importance of a good support network and the benefit of shared experience and how connecting with others going through a similar experience can help you navigate the big C.

    32 min
  6. 'The last part of living is so precious and you don’t want to get it wrong.'

    08/17/2024

    'The last part of living is so precious and you don’t want to get it wrong.'

    Palliative Care doctor and author of, 'With the End in Mind', Kathryn Mannix demystifies the often uncomfortable topic of death and dying. Chatting with Stephanie, Kathryn reminds us that we often fear death because of the unknown; that death is not what is portrayed in Hollywood movies and that we have forgotten about the process of 'ordinary dying'. Drawing on her decades of experience, Kathryn provides practical tips as well as some tools to be able to navigate the process of death and dying.

    48 min
  7. 'We want a patient’s health span to match their life span with the best quality of life.'

    07/14/2024

    'We want a patient’s health span to match their life span with the best quality of life.'

    On this episode, Dr Sarah Chu and early-onset bowel cancer survivor Vanessa Mendico discuss the importance of age not being a barrier to a bowel cancer diagnosis. To address perceived age bias as outlined in recent research, Bowel Cancer Australia has launched a new resource, the Never2Young CPD series. Featuring virtual clinics, these educational modules are aimed at helping GP’s identify bowel cancer red flag signs and symptoms in younger patients and assist with the diagnosis and referral pathway. Dr Sarah Chu talks about the importance of GP’s having a good relationship and listening to their patients and knowing them when they are well. “As GP’s we care about people.  We want to make a difference. We want a patient’s health span to match their life span with the best quality of life.”

    36 min
  8. 'You didn't want vanilla. You wanted something provocative that would cut through ...' - Nina

    05/31/2024

    'You didn't want vanilla. You wanted something provocative that would cut through ...' - Nina

    Stephanie chats with Ogilvy Group Creative Director, Nina East, Director, Eddy Bell and bowel cancer survivor, Kin Leong about the creation of Bowel Cancer Australia's latest awareness campaign, "Australia's Deadliest". They discuss the brief, the process, and the final result in developing an advertising campaign that resonates with the target audience and delivers on the key message that you are never too young for bowel cancer.  This engaging chat highlights the importance of the authentic patient voice and demonstrates how through collaboration and professional respect the campaign was able to be elevated at every level.

    37 min
See All (54)

About

Bowel Cancer Australia's award winning podcast hosted by bowel cancer survivor, Stephanie, is a monthly chat sharing stories and lived-experiences. Hearing from those living with or beyond bowel cancer, as well as health professionals involved in bowel cancer treatment and care, can be a valuable resource that can encourage and inspire others. Please note, podcasts may occasionally contain content that some listeners may find distressing.

Information

  • Creator
    Bowel Cancer Australia
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Bowel Cancer Australia
  • Show Website
    The Bottom Line Podcast

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