A well-known community figure in Strathalbyn is using his personal health battle to encourage others to act early and get checked.
Mal Sutcliffe was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September last year, after noticing changes to his health that didn’t seem quite right. The manager at the Strath Neighbourhood Centre has since undergone surgery and is continuing chemotherapy, with further treatment expected in the months ahead.
“The idea of me coming here and chatting is to spread the message about early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment,” Mal told ARN’s Adam and Jennie.
Bowel cancer is the second deadliest and fourth most common cancer in South Australia. In 2021, it accounted for 9.4 per cent of male cancers and 11.1 per cent of female cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 72 per cent. While it is more common in older people, cases are rising among younger Australians. Free screening kits are available for people aged 45 to 74 through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Mal said while he could intuitively tell something was wrong, he tried to explain away his symptoms, eventually seeking medical advice when they didn’t improve.
“If you have a bodily change for no apparent reason, or even for an apparent reason, go and talk to your GP… talk to somebody, talk to the Cancer Council of SA,” he said.
“There are 15,500 Australians diagnosed each year… and about 5,000 die from it, but we can reduce those numbers with early intervention.”
Mal is encouraging people to take symptoms seriously and make use of screening tools, including at-home bowel test kits, which can help detect the disease early when treatment is more effective.
He has reduced his hours at the Strath Neighbourhood Centre during treatment, with fatigue an ongoing challenge, but says the support from his partner, colleagues and the wider community has been significant.
“There is a lot of help out there… a lot of very caring people,” he said. “The biggest challenge for me was actually acknowledging the amount of support that I have.”
While Mal initially kept his diagnosis private, he felt a responsibility to speak out given his role in the community.
“I thought… with the position I hold and the profile I have, it would be wrong not to share this message about early intervention,” he said.
Mal is now focused on completing treatment and continuing his advocacy, encouraging others to act quickly if something doesn’t feel right, and to be open with loved ones.
“It’s important to consider the impact the diagnosis may have on family members. If you don’t tell them and they ultimately find out, they may feel neglected,” he said.
Support is available through Cancer Council SA’s Information and Support Service on 13 11 20.
Hear Mal’s chat with Adam & Jennie via SoundCloud.
