Wanderers unite to tackle bowel cancer

The Western Sydney Wanderers are teaming up with the Federal Government to take on Bowel Cancer as part of the 'Get2gether' campaign, designed to encourage older Australians to take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which sends free tests in the mail to people aged 50-74.

While more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully provided it's detected early, only 36 per cent of eligible Western Sydney residents complete their screening tests - troublingly lower than the also-concerning national average of 41%.

WSW captain Marcelo Guedes was joined by fellow squad members Tate Russell, Josh Brilliante and goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas (a Western Sydney local from Toongabbie) as well as a number of respected medical experts, community members, cancer survivors and even the Federal Health Minister to articulate the importance of testing, with 2,777 Western Sydney residents diagnosed in the last five years.

“Bowel cancer can develop without symptoms, and can grow in the bowel for years before spreading to other parts of the body," said Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.

“When detected early, the vast majority of bowel cancers can be treated. Getting your bowel screening test done as soon as it arrives in the mail could save your life."

“Thanks to the Western Sydney Wanderers for teaming up with us to connect with fans and beat bowel cancer.”

Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson also drove home the importance of community education and the role that an organisation like the Wanderers can play.

“We’re proud to be working with the Australian Government to encourage more of our community to complete their free bowel screening kit," Hudson added.

“Community has always been an integral driver at the Wanderers, so it’s important we do our part to educate fans and community leaders on the importance of bowel cancer screening, especially as we know that screening rates are lower in the Western Sydney area. Together, we can encourage our community to prioritise their health by taking a free test that could potentially save their life.”

To order a test kit, simply head to the National Cancer Screening Registry.

Though the A-League season is still the better part of two months away, the Wanderers' Australia Cup campaign continues this week, with a Round of 16 clash against Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium.