Liver Foundation marked the beginning of Liver Cancer Awareness Month with a special community launch at Dardi Munwurro in Preston, Melbourne, sharing the powerful story of Uncle Kerry, a Stolen Generations Survivor who discovered he had liver cancer by chance.

The launch was a powerful community event.  First was a Dardi Munwurro’s weekly smoking ceremony, and then Uncle Kerry generously shared his story for 40 community members and service providers.  His powerful story, told in his words, had a powerful impact on people in the room.

A lively discussion about the primary causes of liver cancer- hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and alcohol misuse – led to a lively discussion, supported by Caroline, one of our expert liver nurses.

It was a chance to build connections and to raise awareness of liver cancer and the importance of early detection.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 2.4 times as likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer as non-Indigenous Australians, and 2.4 times as likely to die from it.

Five-year survival rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people diagnosed with liver cancer are only 11%, compared to the national average of 24%, with late diagnosis one of the main reasons.  Survival rates have gone backwards in the past five years.

Sally Castle, CEO of Liver Foundation, said, “Raising awareness of liver cancer, encouraging people to get their liver checked before symptoms appear and improving access to culturally appropriate support are all important steps towards addressing these disparities.”

At the heart of the campaign is Uncle Kerry’s story. After losing half his body weight in just five months, he initially believed his efforts at the gym were paying off. It was only through a scan for an unrelated issue that his liver cancer was discovered.

By sharing his experience, Uncle Kerry hopes to encourage others to reach out for support and know that Liver Foundation’s free, confidential nurse-led support line is available to anyone affected by liver cancer, offering information, guidance and a safe space to ask questions without judgement.

“Don’t feel embarrassed. Just give us a call,” Uncle Kerry says.

Dardi Munwurro CEO, Sarah Thorpe, reflected on the importance of creating safe spaces for conversations about health:

“Healing happens when you feel safe enough to be open and honest about what you are carrying. For many of our men, women and families, Dardi Munwurro is where they find that safety and connection. Liver cancer is taking too many of our Elders and loved ones, often because it is found too late. By sharing his story, Uncle Kerry shows us that it does not have to be a silent illness, and he opens a door for all of us. A yarn after the smoking ceremony, a question to your doctor, a call to a liver nurse: any one of those conversations could be the difference between losing someone and keeping them with us.”

Thank you to Dardi Munwurro for welcoming us into your community and hosting the launch, and to everyone who joined us for this important occasion. A special thank you to Uncle Kerry for generously sharing his story and helping raise awareness of liver cancer.

Throughout October, Liver Foundation is encouraging Australians to learn more about liver cancer, understand their risk and seek advice about their liver health.

You can watch Uncle Kerry’s story and explore the campaign here.

If you’re worried about liver cancer, contact us. It’s free, private, and there’s no judgement.
Call 1800 841 118
Webchat liver.org.au/chat