This June, Northern Health is recognising Bowel Cancer Awareness Month by sharing a patient story that highlights the importance of early intervention, coordinated care and the resilience of those facing complex diagnoses.

For Kevin Whyley, his journey began suddenly in August 2022, when severe abdominal pain led to emergency admission and urgent surgery.

“I was in severe pain and unable to use my bowels,” Kevin said.

A six-hour operation performed by colorectal surgeon Mr Neil Strugnell revealed a 5cm malignant tumour. After a short stay in ICU and time on the ward, Kevin was discharged, beginning a long and challenging recovery.

Complications soon followed. Blood tests revealed his kidneys were failing, requiring another hospital admission. While chemotherapy was initially attempted, his body was too weak to continue, and care teams shifted focus to monitoring his condition through regular blood tests and CT scans.

In May 2023, further scans showed three new tumours in his abdominal cavity. Working closely with Mr Strugnell and oncologist Dr Barnett, Kevin began six months of chemotherapy aimed at stabilising the tumours and making further surgery possible.

“The treatment needed to work, otherwise surgery wouldn’t have been an option,” he said.

Fortunately, the chemotherapy proved effective, allowing Kevin to undergo another major surgery in early 2024.

“The surgery was very successful,” he said. “Recovery was slow, but I eventually got there.”

Following ongoing monitoring, Kevin received encouraging news. As of May 2026, he is in remission, although he continues regular follow-ups with his care team.

However, his health challenges did not end there. In August 2025, Kevin was rushed back to Northern Hospital by ambulance with severe pneumonia and was placed in an induced coma.

“My survival was not good,” he said.

After seven days, he regained consciousness in ICU, but complications continued, including a blood clot in his lung and a mild heart attack.

“The doctors in ICU couldn’t believe I had survived,” he said.

After further treatment in the Respiratory Unit, Kevin was discharged home and has since continued follow-up care, with specialists confirming he remains stable.

Reflecting on his journey, Kevin expressed deep gratitude for the care he received.

“To all the staff at Northern Hospital, I cannot thank you enough for your support, patience, care and professionalism,” he said. “I owe my life to all of you.”

Kevin’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking medical attention early and the critical role of multidisciplinary care in treating bowel cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting Australians.

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Northern Health encourages the community to learn the signs and symptoms, participate in screening programs, and seek medical advice if something doesn’t feel right—because early detection can save lives.

Director of Medical Oncology, Dr Frances Barnett, said, “During Bowel Cancer Month, it’s an important reminder that regular screening between the ages of 45 and 74 can significantly increase the likelihood of detecting bowel cancer before symptoms develop. Early detection is critical, as it greatly improves the chances of cure and often reduces the need for chemotherapy following surgery.”