AGE-SPECIFIC CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR EARLY-ONSET BOWEL CANCER To be developed by Bowel Cancer Australia in collaboration with the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC)
With
Dr Prasad Cooray, Medical Oncologist,
Yarra Oncology &
Clinical Researcher & Lecturer,
The University of Melbourne &
Spokesperson, Bowel Cancer Australia
SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | April 2026
Each year almost 1,900 Australians are diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer (under age 50), and they are currently managed according to clinical practice guidelines that are not age specific.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has agreed to consider for approval the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Early Diagnosis and Management of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC), to be developed by Bowel Cancer Australia in collaboration with the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC), and funded by Bowel Cancer Australia. ALEC is led by Cochrane Australia and based in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.
“Development of co-designed age-appropriate guidelines is essential given the rising rates of bowel cancer among Australians under 50 to ensure they reflect the unique clinical challenges younger people encounter,” Bowel Cancer Australia CEO Julien Wiggins said.
“The guidelines will use an established ‘living’ approach to generate up-to-date, evidence-based guidance to support clinical decision-making. As soon as new research becomes available, it can be incorporated into the guidelines and translated into clinical practice in near real-time.”
“Young Australians diagnosed with bowel cancer face a very different disease trajectory compared to older patients, yet they are managed under the same clinical framework,” Medical Oncologist and Bowel Cancer Australia spokesperson Dr Prasad Cooray, said to Australian Health Journal.
“That gap has real consequences, contributing to delayed diagnosis, more advanced stage at presentation, poorer survival outcomes, and long-term impacts on fertility, survivorship, and quality of life.
Young women are a particular concern because fertility and pregnancy can be impacted by treatment while postpartum changes can hide or confuse symptoms.
Source: Adapted from Bowel Cancer Australia media release (February 2026)
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Pharmacy led men’s urological health
Men’s urological needs refer to the medical and surgical conditions that affect the male urinary tract system and reproductive organs.
A urologist can address these concerns, however a pharmacy-led model of care developed by Brad Butt, called Mens Health Downunder has offered an alternative to certain urological needs of the male adult population over the past 10 years.
Australian Health Journal met with Brad to hear about his journey, Mens Health Downunder and the impact the pharmacy-led model of care has had on patient’s urological as well as mental health.
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South Australia prioritises preventive health
On 28th November 2024, the SA Parliament passed legislation to make preventive health a key part of South Australian health system for the first time, through a new agency aptly named Preventive Health SA.
Preventive Health SA will lead evidence-informed and innovative action to prevent and reduce the burden of non-communicable health conditions and improve health equity across the South Australia population.
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30 years on, Viertel Foundation legacy continues
One of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, is celebrating three decades of transforming Australian healthcare – with more than $90 million invested in medical research and a legacy of breakthroughs that are saving lives. Viertel Fellowships support some of Australia’s best and brightest researchers and clinicians, with 70 Fellowships awarded to date.
