Fiona Radford¹, Julien Wiggins¹, Lisa Nicholson¹, Joanne Wood¹, Kailey Gorman¹, Hannah Rice¹, Prasad Cooray²˒³
¹Bowel Cancer Australia
²Yarra Oncology
³The University of Melbourne
Background:
The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), diagnosed in adults younger than 50 years, continues to rise in Australia and internationally. One in eight Australians diagnosed with bowel cancer are under 50, and it is now the deadliest cancer for Australians aged 25–54. Younger patients face unique challenges, including delayed diagnosis, balancing treatment with work and family responsibilities, financial toxicity, fertility concerns, psychosocial distress, and limited access to age-appropriate support. Since 2011, Bowel Cancer Australia's Specialist Support Service has delivered evidence-based information, supportive care and navigation, with growing demand from younger adults.
Aim:
To describe the evolution of Bowel Cancer Australia's Specialist Support Service over the past 15 years and highlight the role of specialist bowel care nurses in delivering supportive care for people with EOCRC.
Results:
Over recent years, Bowel Cancer Australia's Specialist Support Service has delivered more than 29,000 service interactions, with increasing demand from people diagnosed before age 50.
The service provides symptom management information, treatment navigation, psychosocial support and advocacy. A patient case study will demonstrate how timely nurse-led intervention addresses the complex practical and emotional needs of younger adults with EOCRC.
The presentation will also highlight initiatives designed to improve equity and outcomes, including the national Virtual Multidisciplinary Team pilot for metastatic patients in regional Australia, the Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Centre of Research Excellence, and the development of the Australian Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Clinical Guidelines.
Conclusion:
As EOCRC incidence continues to increase, specialist support services are essential to providing accessible, equitable and person-centred care. Bowel Cancer Australia's 15-year experience demonstrates how specialist nursing complements multidisciplinary care, reduces barriers to support and connects patients with evidence-based resources and expertise, regardless of geographical location.