News

Getting to the bottom of bowel cancer awareness

Aug 22, 2019

Strathfield Private Hospital has held two successful events to raise awareness of Australia’s second most common type of newly diagnosed cancer - during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

The hospital hosted a bowel cancer community seminar at the Burwood RSL Club on 19 June in conjunction with colorectal surgeon Dr Michael Suen.

This was a forum for members of the public to learn about bowel cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment options. People travelled from across Sydney to attend the event which was described by attendees as highly informative.   

Dr Suen, who has expertise in bowel cancer prevention and minimally invasive bowel cancer treatment, is encouraging more people to get screened. 

“90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if they are detected early,” he said. 

Dr Suen said a few of the common reasons why people do not take the test include a lack of knowledge about bowel cancer, a belief that ‘they don’t have the time’ to do the screening, and a lack of understanding of the instructions to complete the test.

Staff also set up an information booth at Strathfield Private Hospital, where 35 members of the public interacted with clinical nurse consultant (stomal therapy) Maureen O’Shannessy and dietitian Simone Launt-Peters about the topic of screening and healthy eating habits.