Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I met with a constituent of mine, Ipswich mother-of-three Ann-Marie Foster, who is affected by early-onset bowel cancer. Anne-Marie is in parliament today for the Call on Canberra, Bowel Cancer Australia's annual advocacy event, which is supported by the Parliamentary Friends of Bowel Cancer, of which I'm a member. Australia has the world's highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer—diagnosed in people under 50 years of age—with over 1,700 young Australians diagnosed every year. This is despite the fact that we have a world-class health system.

Early-onset patients can take 60 per cent longer to receive a diagnosis, and that results in delays in treatment and poorer outcomes. Ann-Marie was diagnosed in October 2023 and has had to undergo five surgeries and more than 20 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, with ongoing treatment. Throughout this journey she's become deeply committed to advocating for change and is currently involved in Bowel Cancer Australia's Never2Young campaign, calling for greater investment in primary care, development of age-specific clinical practice guidelines and increased federal funding for research to investigate the causes of early-onset bowel cancer.

Sadly, Ann-Marie lost her best friend in February this year at the age of 44 due to the same illness. I want to thank Ann-Marie for sharing her experiences with me today. I wish Anne-Marie and all those like her well. We must do better in this country.

Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.