Cancer Council WA has relaunched the Give yourself the best chance campaign through its Find Cancer Early Program after a recent survey* showed an increasing number of people in regional WA can now recognise cancer symptoms.
Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger, said while the message is getting through, there's still a long way to go.
"Last year we launched the Give yourself the best chance campaign featuring two West Aussies from regional WA diagnosed with bowel cancer; Damien Healy and Cherie Slater," Ms Ledger said.
"They urged regional West Australians over 40 years of age to give themselves the best chance of being around longer for family and friends, by seeing their doctor early if they notice any unusual changes in their body, like blood in their poo or pee, or coughing up any blood.
"The good news is that Cancer Council WA surveyed almost 1250 adults aged over 40 years who lived in regional WA about the campaign, and more than 90% of participants correctly identified each of the three symptoms communicated in the campaign as cancer symptoms.[1]
"In addition, the majority indicated they would take action to see a doctor in less than one week if they experienced each of these three urgent symptoms, including blood in poo (63%), blood in pee (74%) and coughing up blood (81%).
"I would like to thank our brave champions, Damien Healy and Cherie Slater, both having lived in the Mid West, who have generously shared their stories with us for this relaunch.
"We know that testimonial style ads are more memorable and connect with our viewers in the region more, so we are enormously grateful to Damian and Cherie who continue to share their stories as part of this relaunched campaign. "
Ms Ledger said research shows people living in regional Australia have lower rates of five-year survival for all cancers combined, compared with people living in major cities.[2]
"Previous research in Western Australia shows regional people present at the GP at a later stage because they are less aware of cancer symptoms, more optimistic, more laid back, and less willing to seek help, therefore resulting in later stage cancer diagnoses," she said.
"We urge West Aussies living in the regions who are over 40 to see their doctor if they notice anything unusual, like blood in their poo or wee, or have coughed up any blood.
"Give yourself the best chance of finding cancer early by going to the doctor earlier if you have symptoms, so that treatment is easier, and you can be around longer for friends and family. "
If you have symptoms or unusual changes, it does not mean you have cancer. In most cases, these symptoms will not be due to cancer, but it's important that you discuss them with your doctor just in case.
It's important to remember bowel cancer screening kits, cervical screening and screening mammograms are designed for people who DO NOT have any symptoms. The organisation warns waiting to participate in a cancer screening program if you have symptoms could delay your diagnosis and risk a worse outcome.
Damien Healy's story
- Damien Healy, a 45-year-old man from Geraldton, had his bowel cancer diagnosed early after seeing previous Find Cancer Early adverts and visiting his doctor when he had blood in his poo and pains in his tummy.
- Damien was hesitant to get his symptoms checked out as he feared the worst, didn't want to hear bad news and hoped it would just go away.
- It wasn't until Damien saw the Cancer Council WA Find Cancer Early television advertisement that he realised the importance of getting his symptoms checked.
- He booked an appointment with a doctor and was referred for a colonoscopy, which led to the discovery that he had polyps. The polyps were removed in November 2021, and one was found to be cancerous. His surgeon said if he'd have not seen his doctor about his symptoms, he wouldn't have made it to 50 years of age.
- Damien didn't need to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy and is cancer free.
- "I'm stoked I found my cancer early so I can keep living the dream," Damien said.
Cherie Slater's story
- Cherie Slater, a 53 year old Badimia Yamatji Wadjak Ballardong Nyoongah woman started experiencing symptoms in her late 40s and ignored them for two to three years before presenting to emergency with unbearable tummy pain in January 2022.
- She was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer that had spread to other parts of her body and has undergone chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.
- Cherie ignored her symptoms because she felt shame going to the doctors about it.
- "Please don't be shame about telling your doctor what's happening with your body, because these are the questions that could save your life. If you find cancer early, you can avoid being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer like me," Cherie said.
The campaign will run from 11 August 2024 until March 2025 on regional (GWN and WIN) and Aboriginal (ICTV and NITV) television stations and catch-up TV, and will be complemented by advertising on regional Aboriginal radio stations (Goolarri, PAKAM, Radio MAMA, Ngaarda, 6PAC, NG Media and 6WR), Facebook, YouTube and out of home media.
