Last month, June was Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and it's a timely reminder about the importance of bowel screening.
New Zealand has one of the world's highest rates of bowel cancer, which claims over 1200 lives a year. Bowel Screening aims to save lives by finding bowel cancer at an early stage when it can often be successfully treated.
Without screening, people can be unaware that they have bowel cancer, as there may be no symptoms until the disease is more advanced.
Since the programme’s launch in Central Auckland, in 2020, over 100 cancer cases have been detected, with more than 50% diagnosed at stage 1, which means a significant increase in survival rate. International studies show that the five-year survival rate for stage 1 bowel cancer is 91%.
Under the programme, men and women in Central Auckland aged 60 to 74 years who are eligible for publicly funded health care are invited for screening every two years.
The simple test that is done at home detects minute traces of blood in a person's faeces, which can be an early warning sign of bowel cancer and an indication that further investigation is required.
"It's encouraging to report that our participation rates for the Central Auckland programme have improved in 2023, overall and specifically for our Māori and Pacific whānau. Māori participation in Central Auckland now matches the average for Aotearoa New Zealand, and participation for Pacific people is higher than the national average." Says Rachael Bergman, Gastroenterologist and Clinical Lead Te Toka Tumai,** Auckland Bowel Screening.
Ben, an Aucklander who personally experienced the benefits of early detection through screening, is now a committed advocate for bowel screening. Despite experiencing abdominal pains for years, Ben never thought to get them checked out.
He was encouraged by his wife to do the test. A positive result and subsequent colonoscopy revealed a cancerous polyp, leading to life-saving surgery.
Ben is now enjoying precious time with his family and passionately urges anyone who receives the test kit as part of the National Bowel Screening Programme to do it.
"It was a life-changing experience for me, and I'm much healthier," says Ben.
As we look forward to celebrating Matariki in July, it's an excellent time to reflect on how we promote happiness, health and well-being not just for ourselves but for all. Doing your test when it comes in the post and encouraging others to do the same could be a positive start.
For more information, go to timetobowelscreen.nz, call your doctor or Free Phone 0800 924 432.
** Te Toka Tumai Auckland previously Auckland District Health Board (ADHB)
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Published 3 July 2023