The Bottom Line Podcast

“The impact of losing a loved one is profound – this is Why We Dry July”

It’s Dry July and Megan and Kayla join Stephanie to talk about how bowel cancer impacted their families' lives and why they are raising funds for Bowel Cancer Australia’s in-person specialist Bowel Care Nurses through the Dry July challenge, in memory of their husband and brother.Brendan and Brad were both diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer, in the late stages of the disease, after having had their symptoms dismissed.Talking frankly, Kayla urges Australians to be vigilant and not be told you are too young."They said word for word -We can see a mass, but I wouldn’t be worried, he is too young and too fit for it to be anything sinister” - Kayla.In this heartfelt chat, Megan and Kayla reinforce the importance of having access to tailored support and personalised cancer, not only for the patient but also for carers and loved ones.“Losing Brendan, the impact has been profound.” - Megan.

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'The connection Nat had with her palliative care doctor was so important to her positivity.' ~ Willis

May 3100:25:53Tap to summarize

Losing his wife recently to bowel cancer, Willis opens up to Stephanie about the challenges of life as a widower and being a single parent, but how the purpose of family and making memories together has helped them move forward.Willis talks honestly about making a conscious choice to be transparent around Nat’s illness, how they navigated talking with their children, and how the philosophy of controlling the controllables helped support him through the difficult times.“By being open and transparent, we felt it lightened the burden and brings vulnerability. Being vulnerable gave us strength.” - Willis.This honest and emotional podcast is a must listen as Willis discusses the importance of connection and purpose.

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'I wanted to do something unique to get people talking and raise awareness' ~ Matt

Apr 3000:19:11Tap to summarize

Sharing his empowering lived experience to raise awareness of early-onset bowel cancer, Matt Duggan is running 550km across Tasmania (for the second time!) in May 2026.Matt chats openly with Stephanie about the challenges of telling friends and family about his diagnosis and why he now wants people to recognise the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.“Keeping my diagnosis hidden probably did more harm than good.""I wanted to do something unique to get people talking and raise awareness that bowel cancer is not an old person’s disease. The two weeks I spent last year running was probably the hardest thing I have ever done but was the most rewarding.”To support Matt’s amazing awareness and fundraising efforts, search Matt’s Marathon Mission on Facebook and Instagram.

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'We really need genetics and genomics to be brought into the mainstream of healthcare.'

Mar 3100:35:36Tap to summarize

Highly regarded Geneticist, Professor Ingrid Winship AO discusses the dynamic world of genomics and how a genetic test may impact you and your family.Drawing on her decades of experience Professor Winship provides practical information to help unpack the complexities of genetics that empowers people to make informed decisions.“What we do is about empowering people, trying to prevent predictable complications and keep healthy people healthy and genomics, genetic testing, genetic counselling, risk assessment and risk management are the cornerstones of that kind of preventative strategy.”Professor Winship discusses approaching genetics in a wholistic way and the importance of informed consent and the role genetic counsellors play in ensuring everyone understands, and is comfortable with the process.“The most important part of what we do is to be person focused – in genetics we extend this to the family.'

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'Without this treatment I would not be here ...' ~ Taylor

Mar 300:44:24Tap to summarize

Aged just 27 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, Taylor chats to Stephanie about the challenges of losing her identity to cancer, the pressure it put on her loved ones, and how accessing a clinical trial was literally "life-saving"!“Without this treatment I would not be here. Immunotherapy as a cancer treatment is the way of the future. It should be the gold standard. It should be the frontline treatment for all cancer patients moving forward.” - TaylorTaylor discusses the difficulties she faced as an early-onset bowel cancer patient living regionally, as well as the barriers associated with accessing a clinical trial, and the importance of this treatment being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

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'Women have complex body systems that deserve careful attention ...' ~ Kristin

Feb 2800:34:00Tap to summarize

Navigating a bowel cancer diagnosis as a woman can be particularly complex.Issues like perimenopause and menopause can have overlapping symptoms, making it challenging to identify what’s truly going on."Bowel cancer buddies", Kat and Kristin, sit down with Stephanie to dive into a candid conversation about all things "poop"."Women have complex body systems that deserve careful attention. Don’t place women in the too hard basket.” - Kristin.With a blend of positivity and humour, Kat and Kristin encourage women to get comfortable with their bodies and their bowels.

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'Let people with experience walk with you ...' ~ Hannah

Feb 100:27:47Tap to summarize

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, we're here for you.This informative chat with Bowel Care Nurse, Fiona, and Psychosocial Support, Hannah, discusses the importance of supportive care and provides a snapshot of the pivotal role Bowel Cancer Australia’s Specialist Telehealth Support Services can play throughout the care continuum.“Let people with experience walk with you so you can focus on living as well as you can during treatment. We help you fit cancer into your life not fit your life into cancer.” ~ HannahFrom stoma management and how to treat side effects, to emotional and peer-to-peer support, Fiona and Hannah share their wealth of experience as they help patients find their new normal.

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'Being able to exercise gave me a sense of control back ...'

Jan 400:30:57Tap to summarize

This New Year make exercise a priority.The benefits of exercise are well documented. Bowel Care Exercise Physiologist, Kailey, provides tips to help keep you motivated before, during and after treatment.Joining Kailey on this episode is bowel cancer advocate, Jon, who shares his lived experience and discusses how exercise empowered him to take control of his diagnosis and the positive impacts on his mental wellbeing.“Being able to exercise gave me a sense of control back … and the benefits were not just physical, the mental health benefits have also been enormous.” – Jon.

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'I trusted Jo’s expertise and advice ... and the results started to show immediately.'

Nov 3000:34:13Tap to summarize

Stephanie chats with Bowel Care Nutritionist, Jo and advocate, Jemima to help demystify nutrition throughout treatment, living with a stoma, and life beyond bowel cancer.  Jemima shares her lived experience and explains how Jo empowered her to implement some small changes that have enabled her to navigate her “new” normal, returning to work and travelling abroad.An episode where Jo and Jemima discuss easy to implement nutritional tips that can assist with sustainable lifestyle changes.“I trusted Jo’s expertise and advice, and she gave me the confidence to jump straight in, and the results started to show immediately. There is no way I could have done this without her guidance.” - Jemima

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'Better to have an awkward conversation with your GP than a tragic conversation with your family.' - Ant

Nov 200:22:36Tap to summarize

Josh and Ant chat with Stephanie around the importance of raising bowel cancer awareness and the difficulty and pain of losing their loved ones far too young - Josh’s brother Mitch and Ant’s friend Dean.Both long-time supporters of Bowel Cancer Australia’s Decembeard campaign, Josh and Ant discuss the positive impact of honouring their friend and brother through their fundraising initiatives and urge others to have the conversation around bowel cancer awareness.“If you tell one person, it’s like a tree as each person shares the message, the tree continues to sprout.” ~ JoshThis episode is a heartwarming nod to Dean and Mitch, as Ant and Josh honour them both through their fundraising and awareness initiatives.If you want to raise money in honour of a loved one, please register now at https://decembeard.org.au/

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All episodes

“The impact of losing a loved one is profound – this is Why We Dry July”

'The connection Nat had with her palliative care doctor was so important to her positivity.' ~ Willis

'I wanted to do something unique to get people talking and raise awareness' ~ Matt

'We really need genetics and genomics to be brought into the mainstream of healthcare.'

'Without this treatment I would not be here ...' ~ Taylor

'Women have complex body systems that deserve careful attention ...' ~ Kristin

'Let people with experience walk with you ...' ~ Hannah

'Being able to exercise gave me a sense of control back ...'

'I trusted Jo’s expertise and advice ... and the results started to show immediately.'

'Better to have an awkward conversation with your GP than a tragic conversation with your family.' - Ant