Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Bowel cancer

Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (17:07): (1174) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health. The action that I seek is for the minister to provide an update on initiatives being undertaken to prevent early-onset bowel cancer in Victoria. Australia currently has one of the highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer in the world, with increasing diagnoses in people under the age of 50. This is deeply concerning. Bowel Cancer Australia is leading the way in advocating for better outcomes. One of their key campaigns, Never2Young, calls for faster diagnosis through timely GP referrals, aiming to ensure younger Australians showing symptoms of bowel cancer can receive a colonoscopy within 30 days of symptom onset. This is critically important. We know that delays in diagnosis can result in cancer being detected at a more advanced stage, making it harder to treat and more devastating for families. I commend Bowel Cancer Australia on their tireless work. Through their advocacy they are driving awareness, education and research, all aimed at improving early detection and outcomes for young Australians. These efforts are nothing short of life saving.

I am also proud to be playing a part in raising awareness. This Saturday, 31 May, I will be walking the entire 21-kilometre length of the Mornington electorate coastline to raise funds and awareness for Bowel Cancer Australia. I am also pushing for faster GP referrals for younger Australians within 30 days of symptom onset as well as for further research funding into the causes and prevention of early-onset bowel cancer. I will be joined for parts by my chief of staff Donna Hope, who is herself a survivor of early-onset bowel cancer, having been diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of just 43. She is also a hardworking voluntary ambassador for Bowel Cancer Australia. I will also be joined in parts by some family members locally who have tragically lost loved ones in their 30s to this terrible disease. I welcome anyone who would like to walk with us for all or part of the trek, and I encourage anyone who can to donate to support this cause. They can see my Facebook or Instagram pages for more details or go to bit.ly/chriswalk to donate. Even if you cannot join the walk, please join for a special event between 11 o’clock and 11:30 am this Saturday at Mornington Park.

I also want to give a special thanks to Mornington Peninsula News Group and publisher Cam McCullough, who generously donated a full whole-page ad about this event. Thanks to all local media, social media and radio stations who have helped to promote the event. Lastly, a sincere thanks to the many local small businesses in Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza who have supported this effort by allowing me to put up posters and to spread the word. Your community spirit means so much.