GB has partnered with the Jodi Lee Foundation to address bowel cancer

As part of GB’s growing Health and Wellbeing program, GB Wellness, we have partnered with the Jodi Lee Foundation to address Australia’s second biggest cancer killer – bowel cancer.

In Australia, bowel cancer claims a life every two hours – that’s around 80 people each week or more than 4,000 each year. The majority of people diagnosed are aged 50 and over, but it also affects young people too, with 9.0% of cases diagnosed being under 50. Many people do not experience symptoms until the cancer has advanced or spread.

The good news is up to 90% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated or even prevented if detected early, which is why screening is so important.

To ensure every GB employee has the opportunity to engage in a prevention program, GB is contributing towards the majority of the cost of a bowel screening test for our people.

Research has shown that those who contribute a small fee towards the screening are more likely to go through with taking the test. Our aim is to ensure that as many of our people as possible follow through on completing the test.

The Jodi Lee Foundation was established in 2010 after Nick Lee lost his wife Jodi to bowel cancer at age 41, leaving behind their two young children.

The Foundation encourages people to take active steps to prevent bowel cancer by screening regularly, acting quickly on symptoms and leading healthy and active lifestyles.

Nick Lee shared his story when he personally delivered the Workplace Prevention Program to the GB team on Wednesday 21st March.

The Workplace Prevention Program introduced the BEAT plan that anyone can implement to prevent bowel cancer. We want you to think of as an easy to remember checklist for reducing your risk of bowel cancer and improving overall health and wellbeing.

B = be healthy & active

E – explore family history

A = act of symptoms

T = take a screening test

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