The Bottom Line Podcast

Kieren has sadly passed away since the time of this recording. It is an important part of Kieren's legacy that his lived-experience continues to be shared to raise much needed awareness and support to others.

Bowel Cancer Australia thanks and acknowledges Kieren's contribution in creating a powerful voice for change, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.

For Kieren life was near perfect. His snow business was firing in Canada, and he was enjoying the best of both worlds between the snow in Canada and life near the ocean.

However his world came crashing down after a stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis in the heart of the COVID pandemic in 2020. Kieren has now written a book about his diagnosis and talks to Stephanie about how he had wished he had simply done the screening test when it arrived.

“I walked past it constantly and made up every excuse I could think of as to why I didn’t need to do the test. My life could have been so very different had I just done the test!”

He also discusses the importance of being a forceful advocate for your own health and ensuring you surround yourself with like-minded people who are (or have experienced) the same as you. “Getting the right support is everything,” Kieren adds.

Lauren is passionate about raising much needed awareness for bowel cancer and again is fundraising for Bowel Cancer Australia this Dry July in honour of her late father.

In this emotionally raw discussion with Stephanie, Lauren shares her harrowing five years, first losing her mother after a long-term illness, to nursing her father diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and subsequently losing him to the disease in June 2022, leaving her without any immediate family.

An only child, Lauren’s warmth and kindness shine through as she talks about grieving well before her parents had passed and the coping mechanisms she has developed to ensure she looks after herself.

'Kindness is key. It is so very important to tread gently and be kind to yourself.'

Bowel cancer advocates Nina, Adam and Jacob chat with Stephanie about Bowel Cancer Australia’s inaugural 'Call on Canberra' event held in June.

All deeply passionate about driving meaningful change, Nina, Adam and Jacob share their experiences, their conversations with policymakers regarding early-onset bowel cancer and expectations to optimise outcomes for the deadliest cancer for those aged 25-44.

An emotional conversation as they talk about the power of the collective voice, the deep connection with their fellow bowel cancer advocates and the sense of optimism they feel towards a better future for those impacted by early-onset bowel cancer.

Hollie was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at just 24. Faced with a terminal diagnosis and the prospect of never being able to bear children, Hollie decided to approach her 'shit show' through a positive lens.

'I had to get up every day or I was afraid I may not get up the next day,' said Hollie.

Over 10 years on and now the mother of a toddler, Hollie chats with Stephanie of the struggles she faced around her fertility, both physically and mentally; and the out-of-body experience she felt holding her baby daughter in her arms for the first time.

Hollie also discusses the importance of being an advocate for your own health, respectfully questioning your medical team as you are never too young for bowel cancer.

In a special Mother’s Day episode, 14-year old Angus reverses roles and steps in as guest host to interview his Mum, Stephanie.

Only two when Stephanie was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer, Angus delves into how his Mum’s diagnosis impacted their family. In a frank and honest conversation, Stephanie shares her fear of facing a similar fate to her mother, who died from ovarian cancer when she was just 20, and the very real possibility of leaving Angus motherless.

Big believers in the power of positivity and the importance of surrounding yourself with a support network, this warm but powerful conversation between mother and son is a must-listen.

Clinical Geneticist & Professor Dr Nicholas (Nick) Pachter chats with Stephanie about Lynch syndrome, prevalence in the community, ongoing surveillance as well as treatment options.

Lynch syndrome is caused by a change in a gene that normally functions to protect a person from getting cancer.

A mutation carriers lifetime risk for bowel or other syndrome cancers is around 70-90% and each of their children has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation.

'If you have Lynch syndrome don't be discharged (from your medical team) . . . as you need ongoing follow-up well into your 80’s as you are still at risk of getting another bowel cancer in your lifetime', Dr Pachter explains.

Colorectal surgeon, Dr Penelope De Lacavalerie explains why we all need to be aware of bowel cancer symptoms, but it's particularly important for young women not to have their symptoms dismissed as 'female issues' or due to pregnancy.

Passionate about human-centric care, Dr De Lacavalerie explains the importance of advocating for your own health and understanding that persistent symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and anaemia that can’t be explained must be checked.

'We tend to rationalise our symptoms as being something else other than bowel cancer, but any blood is not normal and must be investigated'. 

Bowel Care Nurse Fiona chats with Stephanie about some of the common questions she is asked across the care continuum, including nutritional advice, side effects of treatment, and support that may be required as patients adjust to a  'new normal'. 

With expertise in intensive care, oncology and stomal therapy, Bowel Cancer Australia’s friendly nurses assist patients, family, friends, and concerned members of the community.

Described as a 'lifeline' by patients and their loved ones, Bowel Cancer Australia’s telenursing service provides patients with access to care and support nationwide.

A positive attitude helped Emily navigate her stage 3 bowel cancer diagnosis at just 37.

Emily and Stephanie discuss fertility after a cancer diagnosis, navigating cancer when you are young and single, as well as how family and friends were integral in supporting her through her bowel cancer journey.

An authentic and honest conversation that highlights the importance of not sweating the small stuff and learning to be kind to yourself and others around you.

Losing a partner is challenging at any point in your life, but to be a widow with two young children in your early 30’s is particularly difficult.

Abbey shines through as she discusses with Stephanie her husband, Marcus’ shock bowel cancer diagnosis aged just 34 and how they navigated the next 12 months together, making special memories with their very young children before his passing.

Taking strength from Marcus’ positive outlook on life, and the motto of living each day with kindness and gratitude, Abbey is learning to move forward, keeping her husband’s memory alive for her children but forever reserving a small part of her heart for her soul mate.