A timely update: The Endoscopy Clinic

Bowel Cancer New Zealand has recently released some sobering statistics. Gastrointestinal surgeon, Ross Roberts of the Endoscopy Clinic in Christchurch, says these statistics are a definite wake up call for anyone who may be complacent about the possibility of developing bowel cancer.

What are the facts?

Every year more than 3000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer and over 1200 of us will die from it. Even more startling is the fact that one in every 18 Kiwis is estimated to develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. Men are at increased risk of the cancer. The most recent NZ data shows men at 44.8 per 100,000 with women 35.2 per 100,000. Bowel cancer can also affect people of all ages. Over 350 people aged under 50 are diagnosed each year. There has been media coverage lately of exactly this scenario.

What are the symptoms to look out for?

Being aware of the symptoms is the first step you can take to prevent bowel cancer. Symptoms may include: bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding), change of bowel motions/habits that come and go over several weeks, anaemia (iron deficiency), severe persistent or periodic abdominal pain, a lump or mass in the abdomen, tiredness, and loss of weight for no obvious reason.

What should you do?

Ross Roberts urges you not to sit on your symptoms. “Go and see a doctor. Get the symptoms checked out. Catching bowel cancer early is really important and often means it’s treatable and manageable.”

Ways to get checked for bowel cancer.

Make an appointment to see your GP. You can also begin the process of checking for bowel cancer through the National Bowel Screening Programme. Men and women aged 60 to 74 are eligible for the free programme which has been available in Canterbury since the end of October 2020. If you are eligible for the programme you will be sent a test kit, instructions on how to use it and a consent form. You can find out more about this programme through the Bowel Cancer NZ website.

Bowel screening is not right for everyone.

You should not do a bowel screening test if you have had a colonoscopy within the last five years, are on a bowel polyp or bowel cancer surveillance programme, have had or are currently being treated for bowel cancer, have had your large bowel removed, or have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease that is currently active.

*Information – Bowel Cancer New Zealand Inc.