Andrew Florent, a former Davis Cup tennis star, has bowel cancer and wishes he had not ignored the symptoms. By the time he was diagnosed with bowel cancer he had secondary cancer of the liver. At the young age of 42, he was told he had between four and eighteen months to live.

Let’s Beat Bowel Cancer, a Cabrini health promotion initiative, conducted a national multi-media campaign throughout the month of February called Don't Be A Fool, Test Your Stool to draw attention to the importance of screening for bowel cancer, especially for those who have a family history of the disease or who are aged 50 and over.

More than 14,000 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year.  It is not selective, affecting men and women, young and old alike.  On the plus side, it is preventable, an in 90 per cent of cases, bowel cancer can be successfully treated if detected early.

Andrew is married with young children and wants to see them grow up.  He knows his prognosis is not good but is determined “to fight it all the way”.  Entrusting his care to Cabrini colorectal surgeon Associate Professor Paul McMurrick, he underwent intensive treatment and now ahs only three tumours in his liver – down form 30 at the time of his diagnosis – and his bowel is clear of the cancer.

Andrew has become a passionate supporter of the work at Let’s Beat Bowel Cancer and wants everyone to include bowel cancer screening as part of their regular, routine check-ups.

If you have a family history of bowel cancer, or are experiencing symptoms such as persistent change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, abdominal bloating and pain or unexpected weight loss, please see your GP as soon as possible.  Please remember that while bowel cancer is more common in the over 50's, you should never be told you are too young to have bowel cancer.  

Bowel cancer screening tests are available at participating pharmacies across the country, online via this website here or www.testyourstool.org, or by calling 1800 555 494.

If you would like to make a donation to support bowel cancer awareness and research at Cabrini, please donate now.