The Bottom Line Podcast

The world at their feet, Rory and Olivia were building a life together when Rory was diagnosed with an aggressive mutation of bowel cancer and passed away soon after, aged just 34.

Oliva chats openly with Stephanie on The Bottom Line Podcast about how she felt lost, angry and isolated after Rory's death and how she took up running as a way to survive the heaviness of grief.

“I wasn’t just grieving the loss of Rory; I was grieving the old me.” ~ Olivia.

However, a silver lining was the everlasting connections she made with Rory’s friends and family. Together they decided to run the Gold Coast Marathon and raise funds in Rory’s memory.

Passionate about raising awareness, Olivia’s raw and frank discussion with Stephanie is a must listen, as she discusses the difficulties of losing a loved one but also the importance of finding joy in the small moments in life.

A/Prof Dan Buchanan, recently announced Director of the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) ARTEMIS, discusses the upcoming five-year research program that will investigate the aetiology, risk factors, tumourigenesis, exposures, microbiome and immune susceptibilities that are underlying early-onset bowel cancer.

Funded by Bowel Cancer Australia, A/Prof Buchanan will lead the $3M Centre’s 22-member team across multiple disciplines looking to molecularly ‘tease apart’ these cancers to pinpoint the role of the gut microbiome in cancer development and develop more targeted approaches to assessing people’s risk that will guide a personalised prevention, screening and care pathway.

The Centre was named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis, reflecting the team’s determination to track down what is causing early-onset bowel cancer and the alarming rise of the disease in young Australians.

Misdiagnosis, symptom dismissal and age bias dominated Sarah’s health for over five years until she was eventually diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer aged 29.

Learn of Sarah’s persistence, vulnerability and resilience as she delves into the challenges of being heard as a young woman.

Sarah discusses fertility preservation, how her endometriosis was rationalised as masking her bowel cancer symptoms and how her diagnosis amplified her mental health challenges and the lack of support after treatment.

“You are kicked out of the nest and expected to fly. When the treatment ends is when the real healing begins – this is when you really sit with what has happened.”

This episode delves into the power of the collective voice as Natalie and Andrew discuss attending Bowel Cancer Australia’s preeminent advocacy event, Call on Canberra.

"Call on Canberra is very special. . . Our voice together is incredibly powerful, and the change is really being seen now.” ~ Natalie

Sharing their personal experiences both Natalie and Andrew discuss the barriers they encountered to diagnosis, the impact on them and their families and the need for greater awareness and investment in research.

An electrician, Andrew discusses how despite being NED, the impacts of bowel cancer continue to be felt long after treatment ends. “I couldn’t leave the bathroom - I was literally stuck at home for 3 months and not knowing if I was ever going to be able to work and provide for my family again was very scary.”

While Natalie, living the stage 4 disease, shares the ongoing mental drain of dealing with a lifetime of treatment as she juggles life as a single Mum.

Listen to Andrew and Natalie as they talk about the lasting friendships they have developed through Call on Canberra and how together their voices are making a difference.

It’s Dry July and Megan and Kayla join Stephanie to talk about how bowel cancer impacted their families lives and why they are raising funds for Bowel Cancer Australia’s in-person specialist Bowel Care Nurses through the Dry July challenge, in memory of their husband and brother.

Brendan and Brad were both diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer, in the late stages of the disease, after having had their symptoms dismissed.

Talking frankly, Kayla urges Australians to be vigilant and not be told you are too young.

"They said word for word - We can see a mass, but I wouldn’t be worried, he is too young and too fit for it to be anything sinister” - Kayla.

In this heartfelt chat, Megan and Kayla reinforce the importance of having access to tailored support and personalised cancer, not only for the patient but also for carers and loved ones.

“Losing Brendan, the impact has been profound.” - Megan.

Losing his wife recently to bowel cancer, Willis opens up to Stephanie about the challenges of life as a widower and being a single parent, but how the purpose of family and making memories together has helped them move forward.

Willis talks honestly about making a conscious choice to be transparent around Nat’s illness, how they navigated talking with their children, and how the philosophy of controlling the controllables helped support him through the difficult times.

“By being open and transparent, we felt it lightened the burden and brings vulnerability. Being vulnerable gave us strength.” - Willis.

This honest and emotional podcast is a must listen as Willis discusses the importance of connection and purpose.

Sharing his empowering lived experience to raise awareness of early-onset bowel cancer, Matt Duggan is running 550km across Tasmania (for the second time!) in May 2026.

Matt chats openly with Stephanie about the challenges of telling friends and family about his diagnosis and why he now wants people to recognise the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

“Keeping my diagnosis hidden probably did more harm than good."

"I wanted to do something unique to get people talking and raise awareness that bowel cancer is not an old person’s disease. The two weeks I spent last year running was probably the hardest thing I have ever done but was the most rewarding.”

To support Matt’s amazing awareness and fundraising efforts, search Matt’s Marathon Mission on Facebook and Instagram.

Highly regarded Geneticist, Professor Ingrid Winship AO discusses the dynamic world of genomics and how a genetic test may impact you and your family.

Drawing on her decades of experience Professor Winship provides practical information to help unpack the complexities of genetics that empowers people to make informed decisions.

“What we do is about empowering people, trying to prevent predictable complications and keep healthy people healthy and genomics, genetic testing, genetic counselling, risk assessment and risk management are the cornerstones of that kind of preventative strategy.”

Professor Winship discusses approaching genetics in a wholistic way and the importance of informed consent and the role genetic counsellors play in ensuring everyone understands, and is comfortable with the process.

“The most important part of what we do is to be person focused – in genetics we extend this to the family.'

Aged just 27 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, Taylor chats to Stephanie about the challenges of losing her identity to cancer, the pressure it put on her loved ones, and how accessing a clinical trial was literally "life-saving"!

“Without this treatment I would not be here. Immunotherapy as a cancer treatment is the way of the future. It should be the gold standard. It should be the frontline treatment for all cancer patients moving forward.” - Taylor

Taylor discusses the difficulties she faced as an early-onset bowel cancer patient living regionally, as well as the barriers associated with accessing a clinical trial, and the importance of this treatment being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Navigating a bowel cancer diagnosis as a woman can be particularly complex.

Issues like perimenopause and menopause can have overlapping symptoms, making it challenging to identify what’s truly going on.

"Bowel cancer buddies", Kat and Kristin, sit down with Stephanie to dive into a candid conversation about all things "poop".

"Women have complex body systems that deserve careful attention. Don’t place women in the too hard basket.” - Kristin.

With a blend of positivity and humour, Kat and Kristin encourage women to get comfortable with their bodies and their bowels.