The Bottom Line Podcast

For Anthony Ellison, exercise and a healthy lifestyle were front and centre in his life, so when he was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, three days shy of his 40th birthday, he was knocked for a six. Three years later, Anthony’s positive outlook and drive to challenge the norm, see him tackling the cancer head-on.

Anthony and Stephanie discuss the impact of exercise, both physically and mentally, and how early on he decided to find what was within his control and not just control it, but dominate it - 'Exercise is my happy place!'

Anthony also chats about the importance of having an allied health team and how sessions with his psychologist allow him to walk lighter and to provide him with direction without burdening his loved ones.

AFL great and mental health advocate, Wayne Schwass, is passionate about good physical and emotional health and urges Australians to tackle the difficult conversations. 

After years of struggling with depression silently, Wayne confronted the condition head-on and has gone on to launch PukaUp. 

In 2019, after a routine screening test, Wayne was diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a bowel disease that usually affects younger Australians. 

Wayne and Stephanie talk about the need to normalise bowel health, the importance of open dialogue and good communication with your medical team and how the bowel screening test potentially saved him from bowel cancer.

Gastroenterologist John Ding specialises in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both conditions can cause inflammation of the colon and rectum, and if left untreated can be a pre-cursor to bowel cancer.

Stephanie and John discuss diagnosing both conditions via colonoscopy and gastropathy, as well as non-invasive procedures such as an intestinal ultrasound and faecal investigations including the breakthrough test, faecal calprotectin.

Dr Ding further explains the importance of a good to excellent bowel prep to ensure the bowel lining is clean, so it is visible by a gastroenterologist during colonoscopy. This decreases the risk of complications, such as bleeding and perforation, and increases detection of pre-cancerous polyps and cancer.

Jessica was juggling life as a new Mum and a promotion at work when she was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer aged just 33. 

Now a passionate advocate for raising young-onset bowel cancer awareness, Jessica discusses with Stephanie the importance of prioritising yourself and being a champion for your own health.

Jessica explains how her diagnosis hit her for a six, despite knowing that the daily presence of blood in her stool was just not normal and the implications of surgery and fertility.

Victoria has recently joined the Bowel Cancer Australia team as a Bowel Care Oncology Social Worker.

Her compassion shines through as she chats to Stephanie about the importance of looking after your wellbeing and all the aspects that impact your life while navigating your bowel cancer journey.

Offering practical tips from how to communicate with your family to financial and work-related questions, Victoria explains how access to a social worker can provide a scaffold, to support you through your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

Sally chats to Stephanie about the gaps in survivorship care and the launch of The Movement, Bowel Cancer Australia’s new online community created by patients for patients to help improve wellness beyond diagnosis.

The Movement is a moderated, safe and supportive environment for bowel cancer patients, featuring monthly presentations by healthcare professionals from across the care continuum, access to a resource library, as well as monthly 'coffee chats' for members to connect with one another.

"Whether you are newly diagnosed, in active treatment, undergoing surveillance following treatment or for genetic syndrome prevention, or in remission, you will find helpful resources and a very supportive community," Sally explains.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.movement.wellness.beyond.diagnosis

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 Gogglebox 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 shares her hilarious take on all things poo; her family's 'poo shyness'; sending your screening test in the mail via '$#*! posting'; and the importance of having a laugh no matter what the situation. 

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

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

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.