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Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra

Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates.

By news@gippsland - 3rd September 2025 - Back to News

Bairnsdale's Scott Morris has joined people impacted by bowel cancer at Parliament House this week for Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, the nation's leading advocacy event. Mr Morris, who was diagnosed with stage four early-onset bowel cancer in 2024 at just 35 years of age, met with Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester to share his personal story.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with Bairnsdale Scott Morris in Parliament this week

Hope and action

Mr Morris said, "Last year, I was diagnosed with stage four early-onset bowel cancer - early-onset meaning before the age of 50, and stage four meaning the disease had spread to my liver. After six months of chemotherapy and a 10-hour surgery, I have been given the all clear for now."

"But not all of the more than 1,700 Australians diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer each year will be so lucky. That's why I joined Call on Canberra - to raise awareness and advocate for improved pathways, better understanding and further research," Mr Morris said.

Rising bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the deadliest cancer for Australians aged 25 to 54. Over the past three decades, there has been a 266% increase in bowel cancer incidence among adolescents and young adults, with rates much higher for Australians born in the 1990s than for those born in the 1950s.

"These statistics underscore a growing health challenge. They are the driving force behind Bowel Cancer Australia's advocacy for greater awareness among GPs and the public, faster referrals, lowering the screening start age, improved treatment pathways, and more research to help build a path towards a cure," Mr Morris said.

Tackling bowel cancer

Mr Chester said he was inspired by Mr Morris's courage in sharing his lived experience and agreed that a national, collaborative response was needed. "Across Australia, we are seeing an increase in the number of younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer, and it's a trend that is deeply concerning."

"A recent study of 50 countries revealed that Australia has the highest rates of bowel cancer in people under 50 in the world. Too many families in Gippsland and beyond are facing the devastating impacts of this disease."

"Tackling early-onset bowel cancer requires all of us to work together - individuals, community groups, health professionals, researchers, and governments at every level. Every Gippslander deserves the chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life, and that means working side by side to tackle this disease head-on," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com