Natalie Collins

65 .... that's the number of rounds of chemotherapy (so far) that my brother and father have undergone in their respective battles against bowel cancer.

5 years ago, just 3 days before his 40th birthday, my brother Anthony was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. He was a fitness professional and young father and his life turned upside down and inside out in the blink of an eye. Despite symptoms only appearing less than 2 months before diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to his liver and has since spread to his abdomen and lymph nodes. Since his diagnosis, he has undergone 53 rounds of chemotherapy, one bowel resection, three liver resections and a peritonectomy which have extended his life far longer than we were told was possible.

As you would expect, my family has been vigilant about screening for this disease ever since. However, late last year my Dad was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer despite having a clear colonoscopy only 2 years earlier. He has had a full bowel resection, completed 12 rounds of chemo and is now showing nil evidence of disease. Early detection was key and no doubt saved his life.

Bowel Cancer is now the deadliest cancer for people aged 25-44, and 1 in 9 diagnoses is a person under the age of 50 (this was 1 in 11 when my brother was diagnosed 5 years ago). My brother is committed to addressing the alarming increase in the early onset of this disease by creating awareness and making early detection more accessible.

When his health permits, Anthony is partnering with Bowel Cancer Australia to actively lobby the government to lower the government funded screening age for bowel cancer from 50 to 40. They have been successful in lowering the age to 45, but those aged 45-49 need to opt-in rather than be automatically sent the screening test. The government wants to see an improvement in the opt-in rates in the 45-49 age bracket before they will consider lowering further to 40. This is where we need your help!

Inspired by my brother's love of fitness, and in an effort to support him in what's become his life's work, my sister and I are taking to the Fleet Steps at Mrs Macquarie's Chair on Monday 14 October to conquer 65 flights.

We would love your support via a donation to Bowel Cancer Australia who will use the money raised to fund more awareness campaigns, improve treatment options and hopefully find a cure that my family so desperately wants. We will also dedicate one flight for each donation received!

Thank you so much for your support.

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to Bowel Cancer Australia.