July 06, 2022
Fun take on bowel screen campaign
Associate Health Ministers Peeni Henare and Aupito William Sio have launched a national multimedia campaign encouraging people to take part in the extended bowel screening programme.
Mr Henare says bowel cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer death in Aotearoa, claiming more than 1200 lives a year.
People diagnosed with early-stage bowel cancer have a 90 per cent chance of long-term survival if they get timely treatment.
A free screening is available for people aged 60 to 74, and from July 2023 for Māori and Pacific people from age 50.
Mr Sio says that’s because a higher proportion of Māori and Pacific people get bowel cancer before 60.
He says feedback from research into attitudes about screening was to use real people – not actors – for the campaign; involve whānau and aiga, and don’t be afraid to make it funny.
There is even a campaign song from the Howie Morrison Jnr Trio – There’s screening here tonight.