Why are you wearing bum shorts on a walk?
Last year, inspired by my cousin, Tash – we had our first ever Bum Walk For Bowel Cancer Awareness at our local park. It was a last-minute idea and ended up being lots of fun – just as your would expect if you go out in public with bum shorts on.
We got some some laughs from people we walked passed and we shared memories of Tash. In July this year, we are doing it again only this time – we hope to have a BUNCH OF BUMS walking with us!
Tash was one of the brightest people you could ever meet and at just 31 years old, she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. Before she passed away in 2021, she spent much of her time sharing the symptoms of the disease to help prevent others from being diagnosed too late.
So, the purpose of our annual bum walks are to continue Tash’s efforts of creating awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and hopefully help reduce any stigma that can be associated with it – Wearing bum shorts in public seems like a pretty solid way to help do that.
"Please don’t put off seeing a doctor because you may be ‘embarrassed’ by your symptoms or you’re ‘too busy’ and keep delaying an appointment."
- Natasha Pozzebon - Aged 32.
Join us for our annual Bum Walk!
Give a sh*t about your bowels!
Learn about the symptons and get to know your own bowel habits so that you can recognise if there is ever something not quite right.
*Any of the above symptoms could be indicative of colon or rectal cancer and should be investigated by your GP if they persist for more than two weeks*
*(this information is directly from www.bowelcanceraustralia.org).
A Note On Symptoms...
Not everyone experiences symptoms, particularly in the early stages of bowel cancer. Symptoms can also be due to other medical conditions, some foods or medicines.
TIPS: Don’t delay in talking to your GP if you are experiencing symptoms for two weeks or more, because when diagnosed early almost 99 percent of cases can be successfully treated.
Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding should never be ignored.
The Bum Walk:
Want to join our Bum Walk? Here's how:
What does Bowel Cancer Australia do to help?
Bowel Cancer Australia is a 100% community-funded national charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
Money donated goes to:
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- Research for treatment of bowel cancer
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- Screening programs & awareness campaigns
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- Supporting patients and their loved ones via:
- Providing access to Bowel Cancer Nurses
- Providing access to Nutritionists
- Patient resources including counselling
- Supporting patients and their loved ones via:
If you have symptoms - visit your GP
In 2023, my lovely Nanny also passed from bowel cancer – she was just shy of 99 years old and was the kindest person you would ever meet.
Remember – bowel cancer dose not discriminate against age.
Young or old – it happens. So…
Learn the symptoms. Know you’re sh*t.
“It is a common misconception that bowel cancer is 'an old person's disease', but the reality is that you should never be told that you are too young to have bowel cancer.”
- Bowel Cancer Australia
The information throughout this article is sourced from Bowel Cancer Australia’s website.
For more detailed information on what this charity can do to help those affected by this horrible disease, please visit their website where you will find a huge range of resources available.
#BowelCancerAustralia #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth #BowelCancer #Never2Young
Article by Birchy’s Books
