Kleenex is collaborating with Bowel Cancer Australia on a nationwide campaign that encourages Australians to “break the taboo, conquer toilet shyness and most importantly, check their poo”.

This comes as research by Kleenex for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month reveals many Australians rely on humour or avoidance when it comes to discussing bowel habits. 62% of surveyed Australians talk about going to the toilet in the form of a joke, while 57% admit they’re too embarrassed to use the toilet at someone else’s house. Nearly one in three (29%) also say they feel uncomfortable talking to others about going to the toilet altogether.

Despite these feelings of ‘toilet shyness’, 81% of surveyed Australians agree that going to the toilet shouldn’t be taboo. This embarrassment not only increases stigma around talking about and checking poo but also leads to a lack of awareness of bowel cancer symptoms in a country that has the highest rates of early onset bowel cancer in the world. 

To help break this stigma and to start conversations to stay unembarrassed, Kleenex and Bowel Cancer Australia are encouraging Australians to use their toilet time wisely with a ʻCheck your pooʼ reminder on toilet paper packaging and a dedicated poocheck.com.au support hub to help raise awareness of bowel cancer symptoms.

Kimberly-Clark Head of Growth Pamela Wyatt says Kleenex is proud to continue its collaboration with Bowel Cancer Australia to help encourage Australians to stay unembarrassed and talk about bowel health.

“By bringing important reminders into one of the most everyday spaces, the bathroom, we hope to break down the embarrassment that often prevents people from checking their poo, recognising symptoms, and having open conversations about their bowel habits,” she says.

“Awareness plays a critical role in early detection, and this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re encouraging Aussies to get comfortable, check their poo, and start the conversation.”

Bowel Cancer Australia CEO Julien Wiggins says the organisation values its continued collaboration with Kleenex to raise much-needed awareness of the deadliest cancer for people aged 25-54.

“Knowing the red flag signs and symptoms and having them promptly investigated is important to rule out bowel cancer as an underlying cause,” he says.

“We encourage Aussies to overcome the poo taboo, as almost 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early.”

Kleenex and Bowel Cancer Australia’s ‘Check your poo’ packaging is on shelves nation-wide now.