Latest news with #BowelCancerNZ
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Broken Promise, Lost Lives: Government's Bowel Cancer Screening Pledge 98% Undelivered
Press Release – Bowel Cancer New Zealand Bowel cancer screening is a $30 test that prevents an $80,000 cancer. The human cost of delay is tragic and the economic case for early detection couldnt be clearer. It is indefensible for more Kiwis to continue losing their lives to this preventable, … Bowel Cancer New Zealand (NZ) is calling for urgent Government action this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. It warns that the delay in delivering a promised screening age reduction results in over 350 preventable cancers, and 80 people losing their lives every year. Despite a 2023 election pledge from Christopher Luxon and the Health Minister to lower the screening age from 60 to 45 to match Australia, just 2% of that commitment has been delivered. More than 900,000 New Zealanders remain without access to the screening that is standard care across the Tasman— a tool proven to detect cancer earlier and save lives. Bowel Cancer NZ has presented the Government with a clinically backed, affordable proposal to protect one million more New Zealanders by lowering the screening age to 45 for all, and to 35 for Māori and Pasifika, who face higher risk at younger ages. A petition supporting its proposal has been signed by 13,000 New Zealanders and is before Parliament. Peter Huskinson, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer NZ says New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. It remains the country's second deadliest cancer, despite the fact 90% of cases can be treated successfully if caught early. 'Sadly 1,200 lives are lost to bowel cancer in New Zealand every year, including 350 under the age of 50. And new research [i] is telling us that early onset bowel cancer is on the rise.' Huskinson says screening is a simple, cost-effective solution that saves lives, and the Government must act now. 'Bowel cancer screening is a $30 test that prevents an $80,000 cancer. The human cost of delay is tragic – and the economic case for early detection couldn't be clearer. It is indefensible for more Kiwis to continue losing their lives to this preventable, treatable disease.' To date, the Government has added just 20,000 people to the screening programme – scrapping a fully funded plan to screen 100,000 Māori and Pasifika aged 50–59 and instead extending eligibility to all 58–59-year-olds (120,000 people). This is despite clear evidence that Māori and Pasifika face significantly higher risk at younger ages. 'More than half of all Māori bowel cancers occur before the current screening age of 60 and for those diagnosed, it's often at a later stage when it's less treatable,' says Professor Sue Crengle, Medical Advisor for Bowel Cancer NZ. 'As a result, they have less opportunity to benefit from bowel cancer screening in its current form than other ethnic groups.' As well as a higher risk of getting Bowel Cancer younger, data shows Māori are 46% more likely to die from bowel cancer than non-Māori, while Pasifika are 60% more likely. 'The system isn't acting early enough and is causing unnecessary suffering and deaths among Māori and Pacific communities – deaths that can be prevented with proper screening at the right age,' says Professor Crengle. This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer NZ is urging New Zealanders to know the symptoms, demand action, and add their voice to the call for a reduction in the screening age by writing a letter to their local MP. More information on this including MP details and a letter template can be found at Know your symptoms: Bowel cancer symptoms can come and go. Don't wait — see your GP if you experience: Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding) Change in bowel habits that come and go over several weeks Persistent or sporadic abdominal pain Loss of weight for no obvious reason and/or feel tired and weak (symptoms of anaemia) Lump or swelling in the abdomen Bowel cancer is preventable and treatable — but only if it's caught early. If something doesn't feel right, see your doctor. More information on bowel cancer and the Bowel Cancer New Zealand charity can be found at Note:
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Broken Promise, Lost Lives: Government's Bowel Cancer Screening Pledge 98% Undelivered
Bowel Cancer New Zealand (NZ) is calling for urgent Government action this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. It warns that the delay in delivering a promised screening age reduction results in over 350 preventable cancers, and 80 people losing their lives every year. Despite a 2023 election pledge from Christopher Luxon and the Health Minister to lower the screening age from 60 to 45 to match Australia, just 2% of that commitment has been delivered. More than 900,000 New Zealanders remain without access to the screening that is standard care across the Tasman— a tool proven to detect cancer earlier and save lives. Bowel Cancer NZ has presented the Government with a clinically backed, affordable proposal to protect one million more New Zealanders by lowering the screening age to 45 for all, and to 35 for Māori and Pasifika, who face higher risk at younger ages. A petition supporting its proposal has been signed by 13,000 New Zealanders and is before Parliament. Peter Huskinson, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer NZ says New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. It remains the country's second deadliest cancer, despite the fact 90% of cases can be treated successfully if caught early. 'Sadly 1,200 lives are lost to bowel cancer in New Zealand every year, including 350 under the age of 50. And new research[i] is telling us that early onset bowel cancer is on the rise.' Huskinson says screening is a simple, cost-effective solution that saves lives, and the Government must act now. 'Bowel cancer screening is a $30 test that prevents an $80,000 cancer. The human cost of delay is tragic – and the economic case for early detection couldn't be clearer. It is indefensible for more Kiwis to continue losing their lives to this preventable, treatable disease.' To date, the Government has added just 20,000 people to the screening programme – scrapping a fully funded plan to screen 100,000 Māori and Pasifika aged 50–59 and instead extending eligibility to all 58–59-year-olds (120,000 people). This is despite clear evidence that Māori and Pasifika face significantly higher risk at younger ages. 'More than half of all Māori bowel cancers occur before the current screening age of 60 and for those diagnosed, it's often at a later stage when it's less treatable,' says Professor Sue Crengle, Medical Advisor for Bowel Cancer NZ. "As a result, they have less opportunity to benefit from bowel cancer screening in its current form than other ethnic groups.' As well as a higher risk of getting Bowel Cancer younger, data shows Māori are 46% more likely to die from bowel cancer than non-Māori, while Pasifika are 60% more likely. 'The system isn't acting early enough and is causing unnecessary suffering and deaths among Māori and Pacific communities - deaths that can be prevented with proper screening at the right age,' says Professor Crengle. This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer NZ is urging New Zealanders to know the symptoms, demand action, and add their voice to the call for a reduction in the screening age by writing a letter to their local MP. More information on this including MP details and a letter template can be found at Know your symptoms: Bowel cancer symptoms can come and go. Don't wait — see your GP if you experience: Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding) Change in bowel habits that come and go over several weeks Persistent or sporadic abdominal pain Loss of weight for no obvious reason and/or feel tired and weak (symptoms of anaemia) Lump or swelling in the abdomen Bowel cancer is preventable and treatable — but only if it's caught early. If something doesn't feel right, see your doctor. More information on bowel cancer and the Bowel Cancer New Zealand charity can be found at Note:
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Conversion Marketing Helps Power Bowel Cancer NZ's Awareness Month Campaign
Conversion Marketing is working with Bowel Cancer New Zealand on their critical 2025 Awareness Month campaign. This nationwide initiative runs throughout June, focusing on educating New Zealanders about bowel cancer symptoms and the life-saving importance of early detection. Conversion Marketing has developed and executed a comprehensive media strategy that spans multiple channels to maximise awareness among key demographic audiences. The campaign aims to leverage radio, programmatic display, digital out-of-home, Spotify, and Meta platforms to deliver crucial health messaging to Kiwis across the country. "Our approach combines strategic media planning with high-impact creative to ensure this vital information reaches as many New Zealanders as possible," says Amanda Bradley, Social Media & Campaign Lead at Conversion Marketing. "Through our partnerships with MediaWorks, Mai FM, and the generous support of the same, as well as other OOH networks such as Lumo and JC Decaux, we've created a campaign with a genuine opportunity to cut through and get the message out to as many Kiwis as possible during the month of June" The campaign features a combination of radio, podcast advertising, programmatic display, social media and premium billboard locations—ensuring the message reaches audiences throughout their daily routines. Conversion Marketing worked closely with Bowel Cancer NZ's communications team to ensure all creative elements and messaging align perfectly with the organisation's mission and voice. Bowel cancer remains New Zealand's second leading cause of cancer death, with approximately 3,000 diagnoses and 1,200 deaths annually. However, when detected early, 90% of cases can be successfully treated. Of particular concern is the rising rate of early-onset bowel cancer, with cases among people under 50 increasing by approximately 4% each year in New Zealand. "This campaign represents the power of strategic marketing to drive meaningful public health outcomes, and we're incredibly proud to support Bowel Cancer NZ's mission to increase symptom awareness and potentially save lives through earlier detection." If you've got questions about bowel cancer or its symptoms, or for more information, visit About Conversion Marketing Conversion Marketing is a leading New Zealand digital marketing agency specialising in data-driven strategies that deliver measurable results for clients across various sectors. For more information, visit About Bowel Cancer New Zealand Bowel Cancer New Zealand is a nationwide charity dedicated to reducing the impact of bowel cancer on New Zealanders through awareness, education, advocacy, research and support. For more information, visit
NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Bowel cancer battle: Mother with terminal cancer lobbies the government to lower screening for Kiwis over 45.
Everything had appeared normal when she'd had a haemorrhoids procedure in 2022, she said. It's only in hindsight Robertson can see the subtle signs of the disease. 'I had abnormal bowel movements, an upset tummy and loose poos. After a bowel motion there was a lot of blood in the toilet, but I'd had haemorrhoids and thought nothing of it' she said. Every year, more than 3300 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and more than 1200 die from the disease. In December the government terminated plans for Māori and Pacific people - who are at higher risk of the disease - to access screening at 50 years old. Then last month it announced the screening age would this year be lowered from 60 to 58 for all New Zealanders. This went against official advice, which recommended that lowering the screening age to 56 for Māori and Pacific peoples would save 'significantly' more lives. I try not to think about dying ... I'm frightened of my son seeing me dying Jackie Robertson Robertson, 46, instead wants free bowel cancer screening for all Kiwis over 45. She says bowel cancer suffers from an 'unglamorous' reputation compared to other cancers. 'It's a shit cancer that affects your bum. I'm not ashamed to talk about having 'poo pipe' cancer. Cancer is cancer - it's horrible, no matter if it's in your brain, breasts, or lungs.' Robertson is making plans to take her protest to Parliament on 20 May with her friend Rachael Ferguson, who is in remission from bowel cancer. The mothers living with stage 4 cancer found each other on social media and connected. 'Rachael was open and passionate about lowering the screening age ... We both want the government to wake up and do something,' Robertson told the Herald. Ferguson says she felt like a fraud when she was diagnosed at 32 in 2020, and met the diagnosis with 'total disbelief. 'When you hear someone has cancer, they lose their hair and weight, but I felt normal. I was fit and healthy - a body builder. Looking back, I had stomach cramps, an upset tummy or thought my period was due – but nothing was dinging alarm bells that something was off. 'I think testing should be lowered to 45 to match Australia' she said. Ferguson is now in remission, and is an ambassador for Bowel Cancer NZ. 'Lowering it by two years isn't good for anybody ... what we are seeing is more young people with bowel cancer. It's not helping people in their 30s, 40s, 50s ... it's ridiculous to be being told you are too young for testing,' Ferguson said. Robertson's treatment is ongoing. She began chemotherapy in December 2023 and has treatment every three weeks. After 28 rounds, the tumour has shrunk - but it's been exhausting. 'At the start I lost probably 40% of my hair, but now it's growing back. I get terrible pins and needles all the time in my mouth, fingers, hips and feet. But I don't want people to think chemo is like in the movies where people are violently ill and can't get out of bed. 'The oncologists and doctors manage it so you can still have a quality of life. [Then] there are times like I've had enough and think, I can't do this anymore.' Robertson says her private health insurance covers her medical costs and pays for drugs that aren't publicly funded. 'It makes me so angry. People shouldn't have to remortgage their houses or set up Givealittle pages' she told the Herald. 'We shouldn't be living in a third-world country, we shouldn't have to pay to live.' Robertson has a 13-year-old son Zac with her Olympian ex-husband Eric Murray. The pair divorced six years ago and share custody of Zac, who is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum. Robertson says Zac is her 'world'. 'Zac has a wicked sense of humour and has taught me so much. My ex-husband has been there for Zac, but he has chosen a path not to support me which is unfortunate because I supported him through his sporting career. That's what he has chosen and he has to live with it.' When approached by the Herald, Murray declined to comment. Zac's anxiety escalated when Robertson first became ill. He refused to go to school, lashed out and hurt himself, Robertson said. Things have calmed down since then. 'I try not to think about dying ... I'm frightened of my son seeing me dying' Robertson told the Herald. Displayed on the walls in their two-bedroom house are some of Zac's paintings. He recently won a prize for best artistic flair at a Waikato student arts competition. The pair love going for long walks and bike rides at a nearby park in Cambridge. The teenager communicates with Robertson on an iPad. Snuggling up to her on the couch, Zac writes a message, 'Mummy, I want chips, I want ice cream. I love you.' There are moments Robertson grieves for her old life. She can't deny she misses riding, running marathons, and going to concerts with friends. But ultimately, Robertson says she is content enjoying every moment she can have at home with Zac. 'This is my new life. I've put things in place that if I'm not around Zac will have security and a roof over his head. 'I joke I am his flatmate and he's the only 13-year-old who owns his own house.' Carolyne Meng-Yee is an Auckland-based investigative journalist who won Best Documentary at the Voyager Media Awards in 2022. She worked for the Herald on Sunday from 2007-2011 and rejoined the Herald in 2016 after working as an award-winning current affairs producer at TVNZ's 60 Minutes, 20/20 and Sunday.
