Bowel Cancer Australia eNews: Get Ready To Grow, Or Let It Go, This Decembeard/Decembhair

Get ready to grow, or let it go

Bowel Cancer Australia’s annual hair-tastic campaign starts in 2 weeks!

Each week around 296 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer and another 103 die, making it Australia’s second deadliest cancer.

A new report developed by The Demographics Group and commissioned by Bowel Cancer Australia examines the growing impact of bowel cancer in people under 50 and the benefits of lowering the screening age.

“Of the top 10 cancers, bowel cancer is the only cancer to show an increase in mortality rates from 2008 to 2018 and projected to 2021 in the 45-49 cohort. It is also the cancer that responds best to the kind of early detection offered by a screening program,” social demographer Bernard Salt AM said.

The release of the report coincides with the draft recommendation from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for screening to start at age 45, which matches the recommendation issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS) in May 2018.

The report reveals there were 14,000 new bowel cancer cases in younger Australians between 2006 and 2016, with Gen Xers aged 45-49 most at risk. A spike in bowel cancer deaths in people aged 30-34 was also noted, highlighting the large number of cases that go undetected.

When detected at its earliest stage, almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated, yet fewer than 50% are.

That’s why we’ve dedicated the month of December to our hair-raising fundraiser as a fun and unconventional way to raise much needed awareness and funds to help beat bowel cancer.

This Decembeard / Decembhair - grow hair anywhere or cut, colour or shave it off for a great cause

Face, head, legs, body - if it's hair - let it grow or let it go!

Get beardy this Decembeard

Beards aren't just for hipsters, grandpas, men that ride motorbikes or people that are too lazy to shave. Anyone can help make real change happen this Decembeard.

Let is grow: Register now to grow a beard and raise funds this Decembeard.

Let it go: If you already have a beard, take one of our Beard Challenges and grow, dye, shave or decorate your beard to help beat bowel cancer.

Get hairy this Decembhair

No stubble, no trouble. Anyone can get involved in Decembhair and there are no complicated rules.

Let it go: Create a Decembhair fundraiser and dye, cut, shave or wax your hair to help beat bowel cancer.

Let it grow: Register now to grow hair anywhere, make it or fake it, or donate the amount you would usually spend on grooming, and raise funds this Decembhair.

Raise funds - help beat bowel cancer

Sign up and start making a difference today.

Create your profile, set your target, add a picture and blurb about why you’re getting hairy and you’re good to go!

Raise funds on your own or get a team together and grow together!

Share the online link to your fundraising page with family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues, so they can donate in support of your hair-raising efforts.

Track your progress, post updates, and see donations and messages from your supporters on your page.