Glen Innes and District Community Centre's Brenda Beauchamp was understandably shocked when her daughter Alona was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August last year at the age of just 39.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although people as young as in their 20s have been diagnosed with the disease, Brenda said there was no history of cancer in the family. It was a bout of anaemia that sent Alona for further testing and the discovery.
Given her relatively young age to contract the disease Alona were referred for genetic testing which did reveal she had one mutant gene which made her more prone to bowel cancer.
READ ALSO:
She endured a round of chemo and then surgery to remove the cancer which had spread to her liver. After further rounds of chemo she hopes to receive the all-clear.
She's now 20 kilograms lighter and has some impressive scars, but she had been able to return to work at the Highlands Motor Lodge on a casual basis before she had a setback earlier this week.
Complications from the liver surgery have landed Alona back in Armidale Hospital, with more tests to investigate the cause.
It's the insidious, hidden way of bowel cancer for which Brenda is hoping to raise awareness, and it's also informing the theme of a fundraising dinner that the Community Centre is organising on behalf of Bowel Cancer Australia which has been so supportive of Alona.
"Throughout her ordeal they helped her understand what was likely to happen next and connected her with others had been through a similar journey," Brenda said.
Like bowel cancer a worm can burrow through an apple without the apple showing outward signs, so it will be a Red Apple Day dinner and fundraiser, back at Alona's workplace the Highlands Restaurant.
It's all happening on June 16 and bookings are essential. To book a table or donate call the Community Centre on (02) 6732 1682.
Brenda said there will be apple-inspired dishes available, but patrons can order and pay for whatever is on the menu.
She hopes the exercise may also draw out others in the community battling the disease, and even the formation of a bowel cancer support group should there be sufficient interest.
While bowel cancer remains among the top five killers overall of Australians aged 45-74, the incidence of bowel cancer in younger people such as Alona continues to rise.
Bowel Cancer Australia is calling for the screening age to be lowered from 50 to 45. The organisation is also highlighting the impact the pandemic has had on diagnosing the cancer, increasing the risk of progression.
