Tom French (Moore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Philippa Greenwood-Jones, a remarkable woman from Moore who has turned her battle with bowel cancer into a mission of advocacy and hope. On 21 August, I had the privilege of meeting Phil, and she shared her story. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with stage III bowel cancer at the age of 40. Despite treatment at the Joondalup Health Campus, her cancer has since spread, and she's currently recovering from chemotherapy.

Instead of retreating, Phil has become a voice for others and is here today as an envoy for Bowel Cancer Australia as part of their Call On Canberra campaign, which calls for greater awareness of this disease. She reminds us that bowel cancer does not just affect older Australians. Increasing numbers of younger people are being diagnosed. Phil is urging us to raise awareness, to promote early testing and to ensure that no patient is dismissed because of their age. She also champions the need for continued research and investment so that treatments are better targeted and lives are saved. She speaks honestly about the wider impacts—on families, on children, on careers and on relationships—of facing cancer at a young age.

To ensure her voice is heard at the highest level, I have written to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, to share Phil's story and advocate directly to him. Phil's courage, advocacy and commitment to others embody the very best of our community. On behalf of this House and the people of Moore, I want to thank her and commit to carrying her message here in the parliament. (Time expired)

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