NZ women have world’s worst bowel cancer death rates

PRESS RELEASE

May 28, 2012

NZ women have world’s worst bowel cancer death rates – avoidable with screening

New Zealand women have the highest rate of bowel cancer in the world, and men have the third highest rates.[1] A National Screening Programme could reduce death rates from colorectal cancer by 15-30%. [2]

Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa deputy Chairperson Alison Ellison said: “Each year bowel cancer kills more New Zealanders than prostate and breast cancers combined. Yet the government will not commit to a National Screening Programme.”

“It could be 10 years before we have a national programme, during which time another 12,000 New Zealanders will have died from Colorectal Cancer – over 4 times the road toll,” she said.

“If the government were serious about cutting our world-leading death rates, they would have announced a commitment to a national programme. BBCA accepts that infrastructure for screening needs to be developed, but this could be done as part of a staged national implementation.”

“Committing to a pilot is not the same as committing to National Screening,” Ellison said.

Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa says the implementation of the first bowel cancer screening pilot programme, which commenced in October 2011 in the Waitemata DHB region is a start, but it is too little too late. “We believe that all New Zealanders aged 50-74 should be screened for bowel cancer regardless of where they live - not only those who live in Waitemata,” Ellison said.

“Bowel Cancer is seen as the ugly cousin of breast cancer – yet screening is at least as effective, and international evidence suggests it is similarly cost-effective.” [3]

Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa is about to launch New Zealand’s second Bowel Cancer Awareness week (4-10 June). We say to all New Zealanders – don’t sit on your symptoms! Bowel cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, particularly if caught at the earliest stages.

About Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa

Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa (New Zealand) is a nationwide patient-led charity aiming to decrease the impact of bowel cancer in New Zealand and help save lives from New Zealand’s most common cancer.

Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa does not receive any government funding and is dependent on donations from the New Zealand community to continue to drive bowel cancer awareness and provide education and support services for people affected by bowel cancer and their families.

Donations can be made via the Beat Bowel Cancer website: www.beatbowelcancer.org.nz or you can Txt beat to 4740 to donate $3.

Bowel Cancer Warning Signs

Bowel habits can often change, but if you have any of the following symptoms, Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa advises seeing your health professional.

Rectal bleeding without obvious reason.
A persistent change in bowel habit, especially going to the toilet more often or having looser stools for several weeks.
Abdominal pain
A lump in your tummy
Weight loss and tiredness

Donations and information at: www.beatbowelcancer.org.nz

ENDS

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