Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes, together with Wendy Harmer, Richard Wilkins, Gavin Wanganeen and Dr Ginni Mansberg are fronting a national awareness campaign, ‘Talking Sh!t’ urging Australians aged 50-74 to give two sh!ts about bowel cancer.
National bowel cancer charity the Jodi Lee Foundation has partnered with the Australian Government’s Department of Health to deliver the campaign, with the main aim of saving lives.
Jodi Lee Foundation Founder and Chair, Nick Lee OAM said: “Currently too many Australians are ignoring this test. Only 43.5% of Australians who are sent the test complete it (33.5% of those aged 50-54).”
Hughes said: “I know it may be tempting to put it off or even stuff it away in a drawer to think about for another day, but please put your health first and just get onto it as soon as you can. It really is simple.
“And if you’ve already done your bowel screening test, ask your mates if they’ve done theirs. Talking Sh!t with your mates next time you see them really could be life-saving.
“I’ve recently lost a mate to bowel cancer, and it’s important to me to get the message out there that completing your bowel screening test is something you should 100% prioritise when you receive it. It could save your life.”
To keep the important conversation going and for these health messages to reach new audiences, Talking Sh!t Ambassador Hughes hosts a fun and informative quiz show, The Talking Sh!t Show with Wendy Harmer, Richard Wilkins, Gavin Wanganeen and Dr Ginni Mansberg fighting it out for the title of the best ‘sh!t talker’, which can be seen across multiple social media channels.
As Hughes puts it, “We want Australians to start talking sh!t, seriously, and to save lives.”
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second-biggest cancer killer. It can develop without symptoms, but if detected early it can be successfully treated or even prevented in more than 90% of cases.
This is why screening to detect bowel cancer in its early stages, when treatment can be most effective, is the key to saving lives. The aim of the campaign is to encourage Australians aged 50-74 to complete the simple, free screening test when it arrives in the post from the Australian Government.
More information: www.jodileefoundation.org.au/talkingshit.
