New research reveals frightening gaps in bowel cancer awareness
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Scoop
43 minutes ago
- Scoop
Bowel Cancer NZ Meets With Health Minister To Push For Screening From Age 45 & Post-Treatment Exercise Programme
Press Release – Bowel Cancer New Zealand Bowel Cancer New Zealand met with Hon Simeon Brown last week to push for two life saving measures: lowering the national bowel screening age and introducing a supported exercise programme after chemotherapy The meeting was constructive, with the Minister outlining work taken in response to the charity's screening proposals put to him in February. Work is now underway on both measures – but screening timelines remain unclear. A further meeting later this year was agreed. Work on screening age progressing – but no plan yet Bowel Cancer NZ reiterated its costed proposals, first presented to the Minister in February, showing how the Government can deliver on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's 2023 pledge to match Australia's screening age of 45. The plans are achievable, affordable, and reinstate earlier screening for Māori and Pacific peoples – groups with worse survival rates under the current one-size-fits-all approach. The Minister confirmed that improvements in investigations for people with symptoms are rolling out from this month – a key enabler for lowering the screening age. He acknowledged that moving to 58 is only a step on the journey, describing it as 'a step, but it's not enough' – signalling the Government recognises the need to go further. Bowel Cancer NZ Chief Executive Peter Huskinson said: 'It's encouraging that our proposals are being taken seriously – but we need solid timelines. Every month that goes by, more than 50 Kiwis in the age group that can access screening in Australia are diagnosed with bowel cancer.' The minister stated that modelling to inform next steps is not expected until late 2025 or early 2026, leaving little time to implement changes before the next election. Under BCNZ's proposals, screening from 45 could be implemented swiftly, with earlier eligibility for Māori and Pacific peoples reinstated. Without this, stark inequities remain, with many people developing bowel cancer before reaching the current starting age of 60. Ball rolling on major survival gains through exercise after chemotherapy Bowel Cancer NZ also presented evidence from the landmark CHALLENGE trial, which shows that a structured behaviour change and exercise programme after chemotherapy increases eight-year survival rates by 7% for Stage 2 and Stage 3 patients – saving more than 50 lives each year in New Zealand. 'This is one of the biggest survival gains we've seen in years,' said Huskinson. 'It's highly effective, highly affordable, and could be rolled out nationwide within 12 months. We want to see the Government champion this and make it standard care.' The Minister responded positively, asking officials to provide further advice and inviting BCNZ to meet with the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand to discuss modelling and next steps. Next steps The meeting ended with a commitment to meet again. 'Many New Zealanders are frustrated and rightly want faster action. We share those concerns and will keep pressing the case for change,' said Huskinson. 'Kiwis facing the impact of bowel cancer don't have time to wait. Every month matters, and we'll keep advocating until these life-saving measures are delivered.' Bowel Cancer NZ will continue working to ensure all New Zealanders benefit from timely equitable screening, high quality treatment, and innovative post-treatment care – to work towards a future where no life is lost to this disease. More information on bowel cancer and the Bowel Cancer New Zealand charity can be found at
NZ Herald
8 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Tauranga cancer survivor urges bowel screening as almost half of kits not returned
When broken down by ethnicity, fewer than half of the kits sent to Māori, Pasifika and Asian people have been returned – 41.9%, 41.8% and 33.1%. Ferguson said she got upset hearing these statistics because there were 'so many people under the age of 60 that are screaming out to have those kits'. 'They know they have something wrong and they're just not being heard so therefore they're not getting screened because doctors are either saying 'you're too young' or 'it's something else'. 'That's wasted resources.' She said the scary thing with bowel cancer was someone could have it and have no symptoms. This was the case with Tauranga man Paul Blears, who said it was 'a hell of a shock' being diagnosed with bowel cancer after he used his screening kit. 'By doing that test, you are catching things early … which will avoid late-stage diagnosis,' Ferguson said. The National Bowel Screening Programme was introduced in the Health NZ Bay of Plenty region in May 2022. It was the last of the former 20 district health boards to introduce it after the programme started in July 2017. People are invited to join the programme at age 60 then sent a free home test kit every two years until age 74. The Government is gradually lowering the eligibility age to 58, to be in effect nationwide by March. The Health NZ data showed 103 cancers were detected between January 1, 2023, and May 26, 2025, and 78 surgeries were carried out to remove bowel cancer. Health NZ noted this may include people who had surgery who did not have their cancer detected via a screening kit, and that some patients may have had surgery in another district, or privately. Patients who chose chemotherapy treatment would not be recorded in surgery numbers, and others newly diagnosed may be waiting for surgery. Tauranga bowel cancer survivor Rachael Ferguson pictured in 2022. Photo / Andrew Warner Almost five years since her diagnosis, Ferguson said her scans and blood test results were 'great'. 'I feel great, which is the main thing,' said Ferguson, now aged 37. She gave birth to her son George in September 2022. 'He was such a good baby … he's really come into his own kind of personality now.' Ferguson said she had recently completed a reformer Pilates instructor course and would soon start teaching. She had also been doing paid partnerships on social media. With a background in early childhood education, she had done some relief teaching. 'After the diagnosis and also becoming a mum myself, I just felt like I was ready to leave that side of things. 'It's just been trying to find something else.' Bowel cancer is the second-highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand, killing about three Kiwis every day. One in 10 Kiwis diagnosed are under 50. New research by Bowel Cancer New Zealand showed one in four adults were unable to name a single symptom of bowel cancer, which Ferguson said was 'pretty concerning'. Bowel Cancer New Zealand chief executive Peter Huskinson said symptom awareness was the 'strongest line of defence', with screening currently limited to those aged 58 and older. 'Acting early, before symptoms become severe, can mean the difference between a treatable diagnosis at the GP and a late-stage emergency presentation. 'That free test in your mailbox doesn't just detect cancer – it can stop it before it starts,' he said. 'Don't leave it in a drawer. Put it by the loo and get it done.' Bowel cancer symptoms Bleeding from the bottom or in your poo A persistent change in bowel habits Ongoing, periodic or severe abdominal pain Unexplained weight loss or fatigue A lump or swelling in the abdomen Source: Bowel Cancer NZ Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Minister Launches Mental Health Campaign
Press Release – New Zealand Government The campaign was developed by VML in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation. It aligns with the Governments Mental Health Targets, specifically by strengthening prevention and early intervention efforts. Hon Matt Doocey Minister for Mental Health Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today announced a national promotion campaign focused on getting Kiwis to Top Up with everyday actions that promote better mental health. 'The Top Up campaign uses the evidence-based 5 Ways to Wellbeing because we know it makes a difference in the lives of many New Zealanders. We want more Kiwis, and communities to take a proactive role in behaviour change that maintains and tops up their mental wellbeing,' Mr Doocey says. 'This is about common-sense tools and proven techniques that anyone can use. Whether you're on the farm, in the office, at school or at home with the kids, better mental health is something we all have a stake in. Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been shown to aid recovery from tough times and the management of long-term mental health issues. 'Just like we look after our physical health, we need to be proactive in looking after our mental health. This campaign is about helping New Zealanders make these preventative actions part of their everyday life and continuing efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health issues. 'We are not just focused on ensuring the right support is in place to treat mental health and addiction issues, we are also focused strongly on preventing Kiwis from getting to that point. 'However, when someone does reach out for help, whether it's you, your child, a friend or a family member, this Government is committed to ensuring support is there. 'We're turning the corner on reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce. Recent data shows the frontline Health NZ mental health workforce has grown around 10% since we came into Government, and over 80% of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services.' The campaign was developed by VML in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation. It aligns with the Government's Mental Health Targets, specifically by strengthening prevention and early intervention efforts. Notes: The Top Up website which includes the promotion campaign video can be found here. The campaign will aim to reach up to 2.6 million New Zealanders each year through a range of multimedia channels such as TV, radio, social media and other online platforms. This will be complemented by a community grants scheme run by the Mental Health Foundation, with the first round open in October. It will offer $250,000 annually for two years to fund grassroots community wellbeing initiatives, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
