Gut Foundation News

Kellys Champion Cancer Campaign

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:00:00 GMT

The Daily Advertiser reports on The Gut Foundations' campaign to increase rates of bowel cancer screening among women and men over the age of 40. Footballer Paul Kelly and his wife lend support to the campaign.

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NSW Bowel Cancer Screening Initiative Targets Country People at High Risk

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

18 October 2011 - Preventing bowel cancer deaths in regional areas will be the focus of a ground breaking intervention program and research project to be conducted in the Riverina district.

The Gut Foundation, using a grant from prominent businessman John Singleton, has announced a 12-month program, centred on the Riverina area, which aims to significantly increase the rate of bowel screening to prevent bowel cancer deaths.

The program will be the first of its kind and aims to facilitate improved co-ordination to bowel cancer screening. It will jointly involve the newly established Murrumbidgee Medicare Local and Rotary NSW with the Gut Foundation employing health professionals to oversee the program.

An intensive media campaign will encourage people to be screened with Rotary’s Faecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) kits. Positive tests will then be followed up with colonoscopies carried out by specialists in local public and private hospitals. Results of the campaign will be collated and the outcomes reported.

Gut Foundation President Prof Terry Bolin announced the initiative at a function in State Parliament today saying, “Deaths from bowel cancer in Australia are unacceptably high. We know from latest research that people living in the bush are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a later stage than people living in big cities, meaning that their outcomes when diagnosed are less optimal than their city cousins.

“We need to work harder to get the message across about bowel cancer which is a preventable cancer that claims 12 Australian lives each day.

“The GUT Foundation is indebted to John Singleton, who has put some $200,000 behind this initiative, which will be devoted to this first-time rural intervention, in a programme that we expect will be life-saving.

“The program will begin in March 2012 and aims to recruit as many people as possible over the age of 40 for screening,” Prof Bolin said.

John Singleton said, “I’ve lost a couple of close mates to bowel cancer and I have a personal commitment to fighting the illness. I just can’t understand why more isn’t done about bowel cancer. The new intervention campaign is the first step but we’ve still got a long way to go. All Australians, those that live in the country and the city, need to start talking about the disease. We need to encourage our mates to stand up and take action and get checked out before it’s too late.”

State Member for Wagga Wagga, Daryl Maguire welcomed the announcement of the program and congratulated everyone involved. "In particular I extend my thanks on behalf of all Riverina residents to John Singleton whose generosity has made this program available," he said.

Also speaking at the launch of the program, comedian and university lecturer Tim Ferguson said his father’s early death from bowel cancer may have been prevented through such a program. Well known journalist, war correspondent and TV executive Tony Ferguson died at the age of 57 after years of symptoms went undiagnosed.

“I am a proud supporter of the GUT Foundation and its work in the community to prevent deaths through more targeted awareness campaigns and screening”, he said.

Nancye Piercy, Chief Executive Officer of the Murrumbidgee Medicare Local, said she welcomed the initiative and the opportunity to contribute to such an important health program. Nancye’s husband died of bowel cancer.

The Federal government funds the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program which involves mailing FOBT kits to Australians aged 50, 55 and 65. While this is making inroads, only one in three eligible Australians are taking part in the program.

“Because the Riverina program is being run in conjunction with the Medicare Local in Wagga Wagga it will have a more hands-on approach and we hope will have greater impact,” Prof Bolin said.

“Colonoscopy is globally considered the gold standard when it comes to screening for bowel cancer. It has the potential to reduce mortality by 70%. It is preventative and can detect a polyp before it is cancerous. In making sure people proceed to this step we can save lives,” he added.

END

Murrumbidgee Medicare Local
The Murrumbidgee Medicare Local has been established encompassing the Riverina Division of General Practice & Primary Health and Murrumbidgee General Practice Network.

The Australian Government is establishing a national network of Medicare Locals as a key component of National Health Reform.

Medicare Locals are independent organisations that will coordinate primary health care delivery and tackle local health care needs and service gaps. Medicare Locals will have a key role in driving improvement in primary health care and in ensuring services are better tailored to meet the needs of local communities.

Federal Government slammed for robbing bowel cancer patients

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Screening should not be at expense of treatments

The Federal Government has cynically used bowel cancer patients to justify cutbacks to new medicines on the PBS, according to leading experts at the start of Bowel Cancer Awareness Week.

The Gut Foundation has attacked the Government for claiming ongoing cutbacks to the PBS were needed in order to restore a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

The screening program, which had been allowed to lapse, was allocated renewed funding in the federal budget after intense lobbying from a range of health groups.

But President of The Gut Foundation Prof Terry Bolin will tell a luncheon of business leaders today that two new approved treatments for bowel cancer are among a range of medicines now being withheld from the PBS.

“We have a situation of extreme concern where the government has finally agreed to restore the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program but has blocked access to new treatments including two of the latest drug indications for bowel cancer,” said Prof Bolin.

Erbitux for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (for patients with advanced KRAS wild type bowel cancer) and Xeloda for treatment of stage III Dukes C colon cancer are approved and have been deemed cost effective by the government’s expert advisory group (the PBAC) but have been put on indefinite hold for listing on the PBS.

Prof Bolin said, “Research released last week shows bowel cancer is increasing at alarming rates in young people and it’s time we got it right in terms of both prevention and treatment. Australia has a very poor record on this health issue. Tragically, we are one of the world leaders in mortality rates with the disease claiming more than 4,100 lives every year.

“We need to see the government recognise the threat that bowel cancer presents in the same way that mental health has been elevated on the national agenda.

“I welcome the budget decision to restore FOBT (faecal occult blood testing) screening but we must ensure the program is extended to a broader range of age groups and supported by proper education and access to colonoscopy for follow-up. Access to the latest drug treatment options is vital for patients and the doctors treating them,” Prof Bolin said.

END

ABOUT Bowel Cancer

It claims more than 4,100 Australian lives every year, with more than 17,000 Australians diagnosed per annum
It kills almost as many women as breast cancer and men as prostate cancer
Awareness of bowel cancer screening is half that of breast screening
84% of Australians want bowel screening program expanded
Only one in four Australians aware of deadly risk of bowel cancer

Bowel Cancer Awareness Week runs from 5-11 June 2011

LATEST MEDIA COVERAGE

Mon, 23 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Coverage relating to key issues of focus can be found following:

Bowel Cancer Awareness Week

Radio National, 14 June 2011 - link
Steve Vizard Show, 9 June 2011 - link
The Daily News, 8 June 2011 - link
TopNews USA, 8 June 2011 - link
ABC 702, 8 June 2011 - link
The Australian, 7 June 2011 - link
Daily Telegraph, 5 June 2011 - link
The Mercury, 5 June 2011 - link
Herald Sun, 30 May 2011 - link

Bowel Cancer Drug Access Coverage

SBS, 2 May 2011 - link
The Age, 2 May 2011 - link
Bigpond News, 2 May 2011 - link
Sky News, 2 May 2011 - link
Ninemsn, 2 May 2011 - link
The West Australian, 2 May 2011 - link
Brisbane Times, 2 May 2011 - link
Shepparton News, 2 May 2011 - link

Bowel Cancer Education Coverage

ABC AM, 30 April 2011 - link
Manly Daily, 30 April 2011 - link 1, link 2

Aussies urged to get wise on constipation management

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

4 May 2011 - Experts are encouraging people to gain a better understanding of constipation treatment as new consumer research released today shows there are still common misconceptions about the condition and the use of laxatives to help treat it.

Evidence shows treatment with bisacodyl (a key ingredient in some stimulant laxatives) is effective in constipation management1 but the latest Dulcolax Survey shows half the population are still concerned about the use of laxatives2.

To dispel the myths and misconceptions about constipation and its treatment, The Gut Foundation has launched a new consumer guide - “How do I manage constipation?”

The Gut Foundation President and Gastroenterologist Professor Terry Bolin says almost one in six people over the age of 30 have suffered from constipation at some stage in their life3 and there are widespread myths among healthcare professionals and consumers regarding its treatment.

“Constipation is a very manageable condition and it’s vital that people are aware of the best ways to manage constipation in order to minimise the impact it can have on a patient’s health and lifestyle. We are hoping this new resource will help improve its management.” said Professor Bolin.

One key area of interest for the new resource is the role of laxatives in the treatment of constipation.

“Fibre is an important preventative measure but for people who need additional assistance in dealing with the problem, sensible use of stimulant laxatives in the recommended dose is unlikely to cause harm and can greatly improve quality of life.”

“Laxatives are greatly misunderstood and many of these misunderstandings prevent better constipation management” said Professor Bolin.

Consultant Dietitian Geraldine Georgeou says diet and lifestyle choices, such as increasing fibre and water intake, can play an active role in preventing constipation however it will not necessarily alleviate the symptoms of constipation.

“It should not be assumed that a diet poor in fibre will cause constipation. Some people may benefit from a fibre rich diet while for others with more severe constipation an increased fibre intake may actually make symptoms worse,” said Ms Georgeou.

“A resource for consumers that is able to help clear up these common misconceptions and provide helpful advice on dealing with constipation and bloating will be very useful,” said Ms Georgeou.

Constipation can have an impact on people’s normal everyday activities with one in five people who suffer from constipation saying that it stops them from exercising and engaging in social activities such as catching up with friends and going on dates2.

Furthermore one in three sufferers is too embarrassed to discuss constipation with their friends and families.

To access ‘How do I manage constipation?’ visit the Gut Foundation website http://www.gutfoundation.com.au/ or call 02 9382 2749.

Healthcare professionals urged to educate patients on constipation management

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

4 May 2011 - Experts are encouraging healthcare professionals to play a key role in educating consumers about the safety profile of laxatives as new consumer research shows there are still misconceptions about the use of laxatives to treat constipation.

Evidence shows treatment with bisacodyl (a key ingredient in some stimulant laxatives) is effective in constipation management1 but the latest Dulcolax Survey shows half the population are still concerned about the use of laxatives2.

To dispel the myths and misconceptions about constipation and its treatment, The Gut Foundation has launched a new consumer guide - “How do I manage constipation?”

The Gut Foundation President and Gastroenterologist Professor Terry Bolin says almost one in six people over the age of 30 have suffered from constipation at some stage in their life3 and there are widespread myths among healthcare professionals and consumers regarding its treatment.

“Constipation is a very manageable condition and it’s vital that heath care professionals help to educate patients about the best ways to manage constipation to minimise the impact it can have on a patient’s health and lifestyle. We are hoping this new resource will help improve its management,” said Professor Bolin.

One key area of interest for the new resource is the role of laxatives in the treatment of constipation.

“Fibre is an important preventative measure but for people who need additional assistance in dealing with the problem, sensible use of stimulant laxatives in the recommended dose is unlikely to cause harm and can greatly improve quality of life. We need to correct these negative misconceptions about laxatives because for many people they will play a key role,” said Professor Bolin.

“Laxatives are greatly misunderstood by healthcare professionals and patients and many of these misunderstandings prevent better constipation management”.

Consultant Dietitian Geraldine Georgiou says diet and lifestyle choices, such as increasing fibre and water intake, can play an active role in preventing constipation however it will not necessarily alleviate the symptoms of constipation.

“It should not be assumed that a diet poor in fibre will cause constipation. Some people may benefit from a fibre rich diet while others with more severe constipation an increased fibre intake may actually make symptoms worse,” said Ms Georgiou.

“A resource for healthcare professionals to share with consumers that is able to help clear up these common misconceptions and provide helpful advice on dealing with constipation and bloating will be very useful,” said Ms Georgiou.

Constipation can have an impact on people’s normal everyday activities with one in five people who suffer from constipation saying that it stops them from exercising and engaging in social activities such as catching up with friends and going on dates2.

Furthermore, one in three sufferers is too embarrassed to discuss constipation with their friends and families.

To access “How do I manage constipation and bloating?” visit the Gut Foundation website http://www.gutfoundation.com.au/ or call 02 9382 2749.

Federal government deserts bowel cancer patients

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

30 March 2011 - The GUT Foundation is calling on the Federal Government to publicly declare whether it is planning to subsidise a new treatment for advanced bowel cancer patients.

The Federal Government has failed to declare whether it will subsidise new treatments recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) within a "maximum time frame of six months".

Erbitux was recommended to be subsidised by the PBAC in July 2010 for patients living with advanced bowel cancer who carry a gene called KRAS “wild type”. However, patients are still waiting for the treatment to be made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia with around 13,000 new cases diagnosed each year and almost 80 Australians dying from bowel cancer each week.

“Patients are owed an explanation as to why the Government has broken its commitment to provide them with timely access to treatments that not only have the potential to extend the time bowel cancer patients have to spend with their family and friends, but also improve their quality of life,” said Professor Terry Bolin, President, GUT Foundation.

“With the government also failing to commit to reinstating the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program we know that advanced bowel cancer cases are going to increase and this will warrant chemotherapy and the use of drugs such as Erbitux”

“I urge the Government to immediately make public its decision on the positive recommendation provided by its own panel of expert clinicians and health economists.”

The listing of Erbitux on the PBS would benefit the majority of advanced bowel cancer patients who carry the KRAS wild-type gene. The KRAS test is performed on a sample of tumour tissue that is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

DeGUTstation Date Set

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Complete details relating to the annual DeGUTstation Dinner can be found on the events page.