This June, The Bowel Movement — an initiative by Flinders Foundation in partnership with Preventive Health SA — is encouraging Australians to break the stigma around bowel health, start conversations that matter, and take simple actions that could save lives. The campaign aims to get more people talking crap, checking their poo, and participating in life-saving bowel cancer screening. 

Did you know that up to 99% of cases of bowel cancer can be treated if caught in its earliest stage. Yet, it's Australia’s second deadliest cancer, with over 5,500 Australians expected to lose their life to the disease this year. That is roughly one life every 95 minutes. The good news is that each and every one of us can do something right now to improve this statistic. 

Here’s the crappy truth: people find poo awkward, leading to stigma and delays in people getting tested. In fact, less than half of eligible Australians take their free bowel screening test – which is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer.  

Butt, for those under 45 and not eligible for the test, there are still a few ways you can help wipe the stigma and change the future of bowel health. 

Here are 4 ways to take charge of your bowel health and create a better bowel future: 

1. Take a cheeky check – and encourage others to do the same 

If you’re 45 or over, congratulations, you’re eligible for the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program! 

If you’re under 45, encourage people you love to take their test.  

It’s quick, easy, and could save a life.  

• If you’re between 45–50 you’ll need to register to be sent the test. Click here to get started. 

• If you’re 50+, make sure you’ve completed your free screening kit that comes automatically in the mail. 

• If you’ve already done it, or you’re under 45, talk crap with someone you care about this week. 

2. Donate to bowel cancer research (biggest impact option!) 

The screening test is free. The research that improves it isn’t. 

Right now, researchers at the world-class Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer are working on groundbreaking research and care — supporting earlier detection, better treatments, and brighter futures for people and families impacted by cancer. 

But they can’t do it alone. 

Their work is only made possible by the support of our community. People who believe in turning awareness into action. And action into lives saved. 

Every donation helps fund research that: 

• Improves screening accuracy 

• Enables earlier diagnosis 

• Strengthens care and support for people and families 

Will you help scientific progress have tangible impact? 

3. Learn about good crap – how well do you know your business? 

We should all be a little more curious about how our bodies are working.  

Paying attention to changes — even the small ones — is one of the simplest ways to protect our health.  

This quick Poo Quiz developed by Flinders Foundation alongside world-class Flinders researchers, is a great way learn more about poo! You might learn something that could save your life – or someone else’s.  

4. Make the pledge to wipe the stigma 

It might feel awkward, butt starting a conversation about bowel health could help save your life – or someone else’s.  

Join thousands of Australians pledging to talk crap, check your poo, and encourage the people you care about to do the same. 

Every conversation and every action reduces the stigma. When there’s no stigma, more people take their free bowel screening test. 

And when more people take the test — more lives can be saved. 

So don’t hold it in. Join the movement. 

Thank you for being part of a movement to save lives! 

If you’d like to learn more about bowel health, visit The Bowel Movement website.