A Tasmanian man diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer last year has successfully completed an extraordinary 550-kilometre run from the bottom of the state to the top, reaching his fundraising goal of $100,000.
Matt Duggan finished his 12th and final marathon yesterday, running to the top of The Nut in Stanley after an incredible 12-day journey that began at Cockle Creek.
The marathon mission mirrored the 12 rounds of chemotherapy Duggan underwent after his diagnosis at age 36 last year.
“Bowel cancer is considered as an old person’s cancer and free screening isn’t available until you’re 45,” Duggan said.
“But there are so many other young people my age and younger that are being diagnosed with bowel cancer everyday.”
Cancer Council Tasmania CEO Alison Lai has praised Duggan’s remarkable effort.
“What he has done is totally amazing, for Cancer Council Tasmania and to raise the issue of bowel cancer in younger Tasmanians,” Lai said.
Duggan was training for his first marathon when he received his life-changing diagnosis in April 2024.
After putting his marathon dreams on hold during treatment, he decided to take on this extraordinary challenge, starting his run on May 3 – the same day he began his treatment the previous year.
“I was 36 and continually got told that I was too young to have bowel cancer,” Duggan said.
“I want to get that message into the younger generation that this could happen to you and to know the symptoms so you can get checked out.”
According to Cancer Council Tasmania, bowel cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the state and the second deadliest.
The $100,000 raised will go towards Cancer Council Tasmania’s work in cancer prevention, research and support services for those affected.
Duggan urged others to be vigilant about their health.
“Please if you have symptoms or are worried speak to your GP and don’t put it off,” he said.
