Firstly, Boseman had colon cancer, how is that different from bowel cancer? Bowel cancer, or colorectal cancer, are both terms that collectively refer to colon and rectal cancer. They are generally referred to together given their proximity, their symptoms and the way they are diagnosed.

The good news is that 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated - if detected early.

Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is the most effective way of finding bowel cancer early, which can substantially improve your chance of surviving the disease. The program is free and will send a test kit in the mail to all Australians aged 50-74. It's so important you take this test and don't leave it sitting in a drawer, it could save your life.

NSW has the second lowest screening participation rate in Australia, so we have some work to do. The national average is around 40 per cent and if we can raise this to 60 per cent, our research has found that we could save almost 84,000 lives in the next 20 years.

Boseman was only 43 when he died. The screening program doesn't target people that young as their risk is significantly lower.The risk factors for bowel cancer include age, family history, hereditary syndromes and lifestyle factors.

Eating more foods containing dietary fibre, eating less red and processed meat, being physically active, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can all reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer by almost 50 per cent.

If anyone of any age has a family history of bowel cancer or shows any symptoms (rectal bleeding, changing bowel habits etc), I encourage them to speak to their GP to discuss their personal risk. If you have any questions about cancer you can also call our 13 11 20 Information and Support Service.

There is no doubt Kevin Rudd saved the Australian economy from a recession.

Here are the facts: hen the Global Financial Crisis struck; Kevin wRudd, acted early, and- as a proportion of GDP-spent more than any other developed country except Korea.

He commenced by injecting a massive $75 billion into the economy, closely followed by $42 billion for a range of projects, including the construction of school halls (virtually every school in the country received money) and payments for people to insulate their homes.

Though unemployment grew to 6 percent, it was macroeconomics that saved the economy. For instance, throughout Australia, local tradespersons built school halls. No wasted capital, the money went directly from the government to the workers.

The government's achievement received international plaudits.

As a dog owner who frequents the Shoalhaven Council's leash free dog beaches I have become increasingly concerned at the number of dogs at the Bogey Hole area near Ulladulla, particularly as the summer tourist season approaches.

This tiny stretch of 'paradise' is enjoyed by elderly bathers, young families and people with a disability, the concrete path/ramp allowing for wheelchair accessibility.

Although there is a wonderful leash free dog beach close by, south of this area at Collers Beach, dog owners are bringing their pets into the Bogey Hole area making the area unsafe for visitors.

Signage with a definite demarcation line between Collers Beach and the Bogey Hole, indicating a 'No Dog Zone' as well as a 'You are Here' arrow is needed.