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From the Ledge to the Lab: Fighting Bowel Cancer Through Awareness & Research

Written by SAGC | Aug 31, 2025 5:26:34 AM

From the Ledge to the Lab: Fighting Bowel Cancer Through Awareness & Research

On Wednesday 27 August 2025, the South Australian Genomics Centre and Flinders Foundation hosted — From the Ledge to the Lab: Fighting Bowel Cancer Through Awareness & Research — bringing together leading researchers and a passionate audience to explore the latest in bowel cancer science, prevention, and care.

Held at the SAHMRI Auditorium, the event spotlighted the important role that public awareness and early detection can have on outcomes from bowel cancer — a disease that is highly curable when caught early, and yet still leads to more than 6,000 deaths each year in Australia.

With increasing rates of bowel cancer among younger adults, particularly women, the discussion was both timely and deeply relevant.

🎥 Watch the Seminar Series


A/Prof. Erin Symonds

Bowel cancer in young people: how to detect it early

Erin discussed her team’s work in developing sensitive, non-invasive biomarkers and tools for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, including programs like SCOOP for high-risk individuals.

  • 98% of cases can be treated successfully, if found early
  • Bowel cancer can be prevented by removing the adenomas
 
Nationwide screening program and public awareness campaigns are working.
  • The mortality rate from bowel cancer is reducing
  • The number of cases is reducing
 
Despite the free bowel cancer test being available for free for anyone over 45, only 42% of people are taking the test. In some countries, that adoption rate is as high as 70% - Australians can do better!