Mr MATT CROSS (Davidson) (12:22): I move:
That this House:
(1)Notes that June marks Bowel Cancer Awareness month and that 19 June 2024 marks Red Apple Day.
(2)Notes bowel cancer is the deadliest cancer for young people aged 25 to 44, and that you can never be too young.
(3)Recognises those affected by bowel cancer, know that you are not alone and keep hopeful that you can beat this disease.
(4)Recognises the work and advocacy of Bowel Cancer Australia.
Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (12:29): I am delighted to contribute to debate on the motion. I thank my friend the member for Davidson for bringing this matter before the House so that we can further highlight the important issue of bowel cancer and cancer more broadly. I thank everyone in the gallery for coming today. I am sure they all have very busy lives, but being here is something truly special. I see some familiar faces. It is good to see Gess. Like the member for Davidson said, I look forward to establishing a parliamentary friends group and doing some work in that space to support each other.
I had the pleasure of being a member of the road safety committee with the member for Davidson. He works very hard and is an effective member of that committee. We established a good relationship during that time. He is a new member of Parliament, and I have watched him continue to perform, grow and fit into that role. That is a true and symbolic representation of his passion for his role as a member of Parliament. I commend him for that. Most importantly, I am sure that all my colleagues will join me in wishing him well during his cancer journey. He has four treatments to go. We know that he is tough and strong and will do well. All our thoughts are with the member for Davidson. When we spoke on the phone and he told me about his diagnosis, he could have knocked me over with a feather, given our working relationship and everything he is going through. I know that his lovely wife is with him and will be there the whole way through.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in New South Wales. It is also the second most common cause of cancer death in New South Wales and across the nation. I highlight some frightening statistics. This year in New South Wales it is predicted that there will be 1,751 deaths from bowel cancer. That accounts for just over 11 per cent of all deaths from cancer in New South Wales. It is encouraging to see, though, that the rate of bowel cancer diagnoses and deaths in New South Wales has decreased over the past 10 years. I pay credit to the researchers, physicians, clinicians and governments of all persuasions who have done a lot of work on treatment, preventative treatment and research. It is truly appreciated. No member knows more about that than the member for Davidson. That rate could decrease even further if eligible people participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
I know it will come as a surprise to members, but I turned 50 last November. I celebrated my birthday in all the usual ways. I had a cake and went out for dinner and had a few glasses of wine to celebrate being halfway to 100. But I also got a letter in the mail saying that I needed to do bowel cancer screening. I thought, "I'm not doing that. Why would I want to do that?" But it interested me so I did my research and realised how important it is. Members will also be aware, given their commitment to following my Facebook page, that I had a heart check as well. To cut a long story short, turning 50 prompted me to get tested. Whilst not old, I am not getting younger. This is a stage in people's lives, particularly in the lives of men and people with a family history of disease, to get everything checked out. If we do not test now, there will be problems for us in the future. I got myself tested more for my family than for me. I remember my dad saying to me, "I know it's a pain and it's a hindrance and you're busy but, if you are not doing it for yourself, do it for your kids and wife." That is precisely what I did. I am fortunate and blessed that everything came back clear, but that is not the case for many people.
Debating this matter in the House is something small yet significant that we can do as members of Parliament to draw attention to the issue of cancer and bowel cancer. I will highlight that further in the future as I work with the member for Davidson. All members will work together proactively to achieve that. I note that the member for Davidson acknowledged the passing of the Hon. Chris Bowen's father. I express my sympathies to him. I did not know that Chris's dad had passed away, so it was news to me. In New South Wales the rate of bowel cancer diagnosis for the 20 to 39 years age group has increased since the mid-2000s, while it has steadily declined in the 50 to 79 years age group since 2007. That shows how effective the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which started in 2006, has been. In 2021 in New South Wales bowel cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death in the 20 to 39 age group.
Nobody is too young to be diagnosed with bowel cancer. That message is loud and clear. No matter somebody's age, if they notice any symptoms—including more frequent trips to the bathroom, blood in the stool or a change in bowel habits—they must go to their doctor and get tested. Like the member for Davidson pointed out, sometimes it can be too late. It can be a silent disease. Thankfully, our friend the member for Davidson got diagnosed early, but not everyone does. I am delighted that he did. People aged 45 to 49 can now request a kit from the National Cancer Screening Register by going online or calling the helpline or by asking their GP. Over 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if they are detected early, but only half of all bowel cancer cases are detected early. That goes to show the importance of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and completing the test when it arrives in the mail, like I did, or of visiting a GP if you experience any symptoms. In conclusion, I commend the member for Davidson and thank him for putting this motion before the House to highlight this important issue.
