Bowel Cancer Australia eNews: The Importance Of Biomarker Testing / World mCRC Day / Decembeard & Decembhair Save The Date

Screenshot of video interview with a young female patient

You are unique. So is your tumour.

Metastatic bowel (colorectal) cancer (mCRC) is when cancer has spread, or metastasised, to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.

To ensure more people affected by mCRC have access to the most targeted treatment possible, we’re joining our international colleagues in raising awareness about the importance of biomarkers.

By identifying your tumour's unique genetic make-up, biomarker testing helps your medical team develop a treatment plan that is personalised to you.

Your biomarker status determines which treatment(s) you are/are not more likely to respond to. It can also help determine if you’re eligible for any clinical trials.

Gemma and Haydn share their lived experience and the impact knowing their tumour’s biomarkers had on treatment.

WATCH GEMMA & HAYDN'S STORIES HERE

Images of a bowel and DNA, with the heading World mCRC Day

Dying tumour cells release small pieces of their DNA into the bloodstream. These pieces are called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA).

A liquid biopsy, collected via a sample of blood or other bodily fluid, can be performed to detect ctDNA and identify specific mutations (including biomarkers) that may have prognostic and/or therapeutic implications.

CtDNA has various clinical applications, including molecular profiling of primary and metastatic lesions, treatment response prediction, real time monitoring of treatment response, early assessment of recurrence risk through the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD), and real time monitoring for disease recurrence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CTDNA HERE

Photo of male patient in his 40s showing his treatment scars

“Three days before turning 40, I was told I have Stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer. Due to the 21 bi-lobar mets in my liver, I was told it was ‘unresectable’ and so I was to start palliative chemotherapy within three weeks.

My 3-year-old daughter, who was blissfully unaware of how her life had changed, wrestled it all out of me and I made a conscious decision to give it everything I had to fight this disease.

Here are my words of wisdom or tips and tricks if you like:

Don’t just ‘control what you can control’ - dominate it! I empowered myself with knowledge and built a strong supportive network around me.

Always go for 2nd opinions and be forthcoming with your Oncologist with this.

Allow friends/family to help - you don’t have to fight this on your own.

I will end by expressing my gratitude for the Bowel Cancer Australia website and many other online forums in the bowel cancer space.

It’s in those darker times I took solace in the fact that others where in this fight too, and I take great pride in being able to share my story to inspire others to keep fighting.” ~ Anthony.

You’re invited to join The Movement, Bowel Cancer Australia's closed nurse moderated Facebook Group, supporting bowel cancer patients to wellness beyond diagnosis.

As an active member of the Group, Anthony shares his lived experiences to support other people living with or beyond the disease and help raise awareness that you’re never too young to have bowel cancer.

The Movement is a place for patients and carers to connect with others who have their own lived experience with monthly expert guest presenters and face-to-face informal online coffee catch-ups.

The date for the next (virtual) Catch-up is midday October 24th.⁠

JOIN THE MOVEMENT FACEBOOK GROUP HERE

Photo of young doctor with glasses and the heading Podcast

Gastroenterologist Dr John Ding chats about diagnosing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitisvia colonoscopy and gastropathy, as well as non-invasive procedures such as an intestinal ultrasound and faecal investigations including faecal calprotectin. Explaining the importance of a good bowel prep to ensure the bowel lining is clean, so it is visible by a gastroenterologist during colonoscopy. Listen now here.⁠

Banners with the heading This December Get Hairy, Raise Funds, Help Us Beat Bowel Cancer

SAVE THE DATE: Get ready to grow, or let it go this December and help beat bowel cancer. Each year we dedicate the final month of the year to our hair-raising fundraiser as a fun and unconventional way to raise much needed awareness and funds. Grow hair anywhere. Cut it, colour it or shave it off. ⁠ Face, head, legs, body - if it's hair - let it grow or let it go!⁠ Find out how you can get involved here.

Bowl of salad with the heading Your Choices Have The Power To Make Real Change Happen

A very big thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2022 Meat Free Week challenge, fundraised or made a donation. Trying more plant-based meals continues to create a great opportunity to think about how much meat you eat and the impact eating too much meat can have. As well as learn about the many modifiable and non-modifiable bowel cancer risk factors.

Photo of a mother kissing her three older children with the heading Supporters In Action

Phoro of a young woman speaking into a microphone in a recording studio with the heading Podcast

Photo of a young female podcaster conducting and interview with the heading Facebook Group

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