Renae German, Health Promotion Officer Bowel Cancer Screening
My job is … to promote awareness of the Bowel Cancer Screening program to increase bowel cancer prevention and early detection in the Mackay Hospital and Health Service region.
I was attracted to this job because … it was an opportunity to be a part of cancer prevention and to educate and engage with the Mackay community.
Before this role … I am a qualified nutritionist and had my own business, but in the last few months I have also been doing work with the Mackay Institute of Research and Innovation (MIRI) on the Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Project
Bowel screens are important because … 90% of cases of bowel cancer can be successfully treated if detected early. Bowel cancer is one of Australia’s most common cancers and is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. The bowel cancer screening test can pick up early signs that someone may have bowel cancer, as often people do not experience any obvious signs or symptoms that they may have bowel cancer.
When I talk to people about pooh … some like to talk and some don’t! Some love to talk about their bowel habits and movements (lol), but others find it embarrassing and bit of a taboo subject.
I think some people shy away from screening because … for some they may have the mentality that it will never happen to them, and let’s face it poo is yucky and no one would get too excited about having to look at what has just come out of their behinds! But the test is done discreetly and easily at home without any invasive procedure and is free of charge and just may save your life, so just hold your nose take and deep breath and do your poo test as soon possible after it arrives in the mail!
When I’m not working … I spend time with family and friends, exercising, drinking tea and red wine and reading junk mail.
