The move would enable 122,000 extra Kiwis to become eligible for the screening in the first year, the Government said.<\/p>\n
It estimated that during the next 25 years, about 771 cases of bowel cancer could be prevented and 566 lives saved based on current cancer rates.<\/p>\n
A simple at-home test for those suspected of having bowel cancer symptoms is also set to be brought in.<\/p>\n
It is a non-invasive test that uses a stool sample to look for traces of blood \u2013 an early warning sign of bowel cancer.<\/p>\n
It has already been launched in Waikato and is called FIT for Symptomatic.<\/p>\n
The next launches are planned in two months in Hawke\u2019s Bay and Auckland\u2019s Counties Manukau and Waitemat\u0101, followed by a full nationwide rollout next year. <\/p>\n
The test is expected to reduce colonoscopy referrals by 30%-60%, Brown said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will free up specialist capacity by prioritising colonoscopies for those at highest risk and reducing unnecessary referrals, leading to shorter wait times, faster diagnoses, and more resources to expand screening,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That will work in conjunction with a plan to boost capacity to allow for 7100 extra colonoscopies through to July 2026, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBowel cancer is New Zealand\u2019s second-biggest cancer killer,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are taking action that will save hundreds of lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The announcement comes after TV personality Paddy Gower grappled with a potential surprise bowel cancer diagnosis on his own television show recently.<\/p>\n
Paddy Gower on the September 23 episode of Paddy Gower Has Issues. Photo \/ Three<\/p>\n
It happened while Gower was filmed getting a colonoscopy for a segment on his current affairs show Paddy Gower Has Issues. <\/p>\n
The piece had been calling for a lowering of the screening age.<\/p>\n
\u201cScreening and catching bowel cancer early, saves lives,\u201d Gower said when introducing the episode. <\/p>\n
What the audience didn\u2019t know was that the award-winning journalist was talking about himself. <\/p>\n
During the endoscopic examination, two growths were found to be developing in Gower\u2019s bowels.<\/p>\n
The 48-year-old told the Herald his mum died of cancer, and one of his greatest fears was getting the disease himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo hear that I had a pre-cancerous growth … it was really quite frightening,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Colorectal surgeon Frank Frizell, who performed the private procedure out of hours, told the journalist, \u201cIt\u2019s good that you\u2019re having this procedure given what I\u2019ve seen already.\u201d<\/p>\n
Post-procedure, the surgeon explained that one of the polyps was pre-cancerous and if left untreated, it presented \u201ca high chance of turning up as more mischief for you\u201d. <\/p>\n
The revelation gave the reporter a personal perspective on calls to widen access to bowel cancer screening. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn eight to 10 years, it would be a full bowel cancer. I\u2019d still be beneath the current screening age of 60,\u201d he said of the previous age limit.<\/p>\n
Aimee-Rose Yates, Bowel Cancer New Zealand ambassador, died in July, aged 32. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
At 48 and with no symptoms, Gower wouldn\u2019t meet current criteria to access a colonoscopy. This brought up a range of emotions for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel really bad having got one. I got it as a TV stunt to show people what it can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just think of all the other people out there that have those pre-cancerous growths like what I had, your mind boggles. To think that there\u2019s 20,000 people with symptoms [on the current waiting list], it\u2019s just absolutely heartbreaking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another heartbreaking aspect of the episode involved Aimee-Rose Yates, a Bowel Cancer New Zealand ambassador, who died in July, aged 32<\/a>.<\/p>\n