From shock to strength: Emma's message of hope and gratitude

Name: Flinders Foundation
Address: 3 Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, AU
Telephone: (08) 8204 5216
Price range: $

Posted 3 July 2026

Cancer

When Kangaroo Island local Emma Bell first saw Flinders Foundation's Bowel Movement campaign, it struck a deeply personal chord.

Diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 42 years old, Emma knows firsthand why conversations about bowel health—and early detection—can save lives.

After months of tests with no clear answers, Emma went in for a colonoscopy expecting another inconclusive result. Instead, she received news that would change her life.

"The surgeon explained they had found a mass that would require surgery and was very likely cancerous," Emma recalls. "I was in complete shock."

As the reality of surgery and chemotherapy sank in, it was one simple sentence from her surgeon that gave her hope.

"Stay positive – we've found it now and we can do something about it."

Today, Emma is passionate about encouraging others to take bowel cancer screening seriously, particularly those under 45.

"I've told everyone I know to buy a screening kit and get checked," she says. "By the time symptoms like bleeding appear, the disease can already be advanced. Changes in bowel habits are easy to dismiss, but they shouldn't be ignored."

Emma also credits the Flinders Cancer Wellness Centre with helping both her and her family navigate the challenges of cancer treatment. Supported by Flinders Foundation, the Centre provides a welcoming space where patients and their loved ones can access practical support, information and wellbeing services.

"I'm really glad my daughters were able to see the Wellness Centre," Emma says. "It's such a calm space, and they saw the kindness of all the people who help cancer patients and their families."

Reflecting on her experience, Emma says it wasn't just the clinical care that made a difference—it was the compassion she encountered every step of the way.

We were absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness and support that came our way," she says. "One of my favourite quotes is, 'Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.' Seeing the power of kindness throughout every phase of having cancer has shown me just how much it matters.

By sharing her story, Emma hopes to help break the stigma around talking about bowel health and encourage others to seek help early.

Her message is simple: don't ignore the signs, don't be embarrassed to talk about bowel health, and remember that with early detection can be life-saving.

Learn more about The Bowel Movement – a movement that saves lives.

Learn how to talk about your poo, what it could mean for you and your family, and commit to taking the bowel screening test when it's our time (or to encourage our loved ones to do theirs).