Supercars champion opens up on family's bowel cancer journey
James Courtney relives family bowel cancer journey with father Jim
Jim diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017
2010 champion encouraging those aged 45-49 to get request their first tests
Veteran Supercars driver James Courtney, and his father Jim Courtney have opened up about their experience with bowel cancer.
The 2010 Supercars champion is encouraging people to give themselves a tune up by completing the free bowel cancer screening kit if you’re aged between 45 and 74.
Courtney, who has teamed up with Supercars to partner with Bowel Cancer Australia, has gone through the family experience when Jim was diagnosed eight years ago.
“My father was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017 but luckily he was able to beat it as 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if they are found early” Courtney said.
“My father has been one of my biggest supporters in everything I do and particularly in my Supercars career. “I’m so thankful it was caught early and he was able to beat it.”
Courtney senior reflected: "Like most men, I was advised that I should keep on getting tests, and I was thinking, 'Yeah, yeah, I'll do that one day, but just not now, I'm too busy.'"
"It's just a shame for you, your sisters, and your mother that you had go through all of that when maybe it was preventable."
People aged 45 to 49 can join James in requesting their first bowel cancer screening kit either online or by calling 1800 627 701. Those aged 50-74 will continue to receive their free bowel screening kit in the mail every two years.
